Two letters with a bit of sting in their tail.

 Letters to the editor | February 22, 2021

BEGINNING OF THE END?

 

IN THE 20 years that I've walked around Heritage Forest Park, I have seen more trees cut down than ever planted.

 

Any trees that are planted are rarely looked after and most die through neglect or being accidentally sprayed with Roundup.

 

Management of this park is a disgrace. [And it is so, so true]

 

There are cities around the world who boast of having a large park in their midst, the Domain in Sydney, Hyde Park in London or Central Park in America.

 

They take pride in their trees.

 

This park is being continually chipped away (literally). Our council takes the attitude that the park is there for its convenience, whether to extend the grounds of the sports facilities (can't let trees get in the way of sport), or an extended car park (can't let trees get in the way of cars) or because some trees are in the way of a dog club that hangs out there every weekend.

 

Why is the dog club allowed to build and operate a business in the park anyway? [And what would the councillors care or even be interested in calling management to account ... Why are they there?]

 

Does the council actually have a plan? [And that is a good question!]

 

Or is it going to keep on taking more and more land as it sees fit.

 

This park has trees that can boast being older than the council that looks after it.

 

I see a great big "X" being put in front of the sign Heritage Park Forest.

 

Jane Whyte, Invermay.

 

ABORIGINAL APOLOGY

 

THE Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Royal Society of Tasmania have apologised and now you need to follow through Mr Gutwein and apologise to our community for the government policies that have oppressed and traumatised our people for generations since colonisation.

 

It's your responsibility as Premier to address and apologise for these past actions.

 

The state government also need to follow through and fund a cultural centre and return our objects from these institutions to allow us to reconnect to them and tell our stories from our perspective.

 

You might then go down in history as the gutsy Gutwein government. 

 

Fiona Maher, truwana rangers, Cape Barren Island.

 

Local government has a role here too and is so, so, reluctant to step up to the plate. It is pity that all we’ll see is explanations as to just how inappropriate it is right up until it really needs to be done.

 

Tandra Vale