Yes Minister

Well, well, what have we ‘ere then aye?  Tourism Minister Des Boyle jumped into action this week and bunged out a reply to all those ‘orrible letters to the estemed ed rejecting calls for a Tourism Levy.  Not ‘ere dessy luv.. we aint don’t want it n we aint don’t need it. 

Darl, get with it.. the guvmint gave us amalgamations and told us its for our own better good.  It’ll save money thay told us.  Save on duplications you will.  Ok, sounds great but within a month of it all going down what do we have?  Increased tips fees within seconds and then hints of this new levy.. with a bit longer until budget time what else will they try and sneak on us? 

The message we send is clear.  We don’t want it!  Feedback both in the print media and online blogosphere has been unanimous.. make them use the funds they already have.  Cum on guvna give us a break aye?

Note: Strewthisback is taking a few days break but Standinman is here.. we’ve had technical difficulties accessing emails as well as an overload of spam which may have seen some legitimate comments wiped out.. 

From AAP sources the following article was released today:

One of Telstra’s US chiefs has taken aim at Australia, saying its democracy is sick, its politicians too powerful, its taxes too high and its “she’ll be right” attitude is mere complacency.

Telstra’s outspoken group managing director of public policy and communications, Phil Burgess, also put Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on notice, saying the telco will not hesitate to start more public stoushes with the government if it feels the need.

Dr Burgess said Australia’s civic order - businesses, the media, religious organisations, think tanks, service clubs, peak industry organisations - are tepid, timid and beholden to government.  Instead of trying to spark and influence public debate, Australia’s civic institutions try only to influence Canberra, usually behind closed doors.

“If we do a health check on Australian democracy, the economic organs are doing really well. The political organs are dominated by government and the civic organs are in atrophy,” Dr Burgess told AAP after the lecture.

“To have a healthy democracy, especially when you’re going through rapid change like we are … we need to have everybody involved.”  He also complained about the “enormous power” of government ministers in Australia, saying it limits the “give and take” that make for good policy-making.

Dr Burgess, who has lived in Australia now for almost three years, said civic institutions were also suffering because they struggled to find independent, non-government funding.  “I would say the biggest problem is taxes are so high here the government gets all the money,” he said.

Dr Burgess said the lack of public debate helped nurture a ‘She’ll be right’ attitude which, he said, was one element of the Australia’s ethos he rejected.  “You can do the ‘She’ll be right’ all you want, but there’s a problem,” he said.  “There’s a problem when complacency is so high that people say ‘Hey, what’s wrong? Everything’s fine, why worry about it?’”

REST Reprieve?

Sources have today indicated the local charity group REST has been given an extension on their recycling contract at Maryborough’s waste centre.  While details are not yet clear, it seems council has listened to the group’s request for additional time and while it might only be a month, leaves some hope that commonsense will prevail..

The Future of Motorsports

Well the Chronicle completely stuffed up yesterday’s article on the Motorpark because of a certain Councilor’s uncanny ability to put his foot in it.  As stated yesterday, the actual position of the project in relation to what was reported is completely different.  John Neve has written his response to the article and another was received but due to its length we will request it is shortened so we can fit it in.  Following John Neve, regular contributor Ben Collingwood who also co-founded Fraser Coast Motorpark Inc. has given his personal response to the situation.

Bowser Blues -V- Motor Park.
 
Where are we going? With petrol at an all time high and little
chance of the price ever dropping in a significant way. There
are some amongst us who want to promote fuel usage!! They
want to build a Motor Park!!!
 
We have people like Brian Canute, a concerned contributor
to this site. Drawing our attention to societies ongoing waste
of the worlds resources, and we have those trying to hasten
the process?
 
Oil is a finite resource, it will never get cheaper. Availability
will continue to decline and cost will continue to climb.
 
While a Motor Park may have had some reason for being 20
years ago, although the writting was on the wall even then.
There is no rational or sustainable reason to build one today.
Motor sport as we know it, is going the way of the DoDo.
Until we find a cheap and viable alternative to oil/petrol to
promote motor sport borders on the criminal.
 
If private enterprize wishes to waste it’s money on such a
project so be it. But please don’t waste public money on a
dying industry.
 
John A Neve

Strewthisback writes: John you raise some valid points but as Ben Collingwood points out later, the motorsports industry is leading the way in embracing green practices.  In fact, many companies use motorsports to develop the technologies that end up in the family sedan.  The truth is motorsports has never been stronger and will continue to grow in popularity.

Ben Collingwood adds the following:

In response to comments made by John Neve and others I highlight the following facts about the motorsports industry in Australia: 

 

• NASR the governing body for Speedway in Australia has already identified the need to embrace alternate fuels and have adjusted their rules to allow fuels such as ethanol.
• High level competitive drag cars run on methanol which is a renewable synthetically produced fuel.
• V8 Supercars currently run on a 5% Ethanol Blend with the organisation changing to E85 – 85% Ethanol 15% Petrol from 2009.  Further to this the V8 Racing Green program plants 15,000 trees each year to offset carbon emissions from the sport’s 15 events.
• In addition to this, Tony D’Alberto and Road Nash Racing run their transporter on Biomax B20 Biodiesel.  Many of the other teams are expected to follow.
• Finally, the Australian Supertruck Nationals is the first racing series in the world to be entirely powered by biodiesel fuels. 

 

These are fine examples of how the Motorsports industry in Australia is leading the way to a greener future.  Even the promoters of  major international competitions such as Formula 1 and the American Le Mans series, are looking at promoting green fuels as well as endeavouring to establish carbon neutral events.  Very exciting indeed and I will be encouraging the group to consider making the project the first “green” Driver Education, Training and Motorsports facility in Australia.

 6 May, 2008 John Neve adds the following thoughts:

Like the Dinosaur, the motorcar as we know it, will be a long
time dying. Sad though it will be for those like Ben, nothing
can save it. To endeavour to prolong it’s existence as NASR
is trying to do, is to throw good money after bad. Let’s look
at the facts.
 
Ethanol will never replace oil, that is unless you are happy to
starve to death. The world can only produce so much grain,
whether we eat it or distil it is up to you.
 
The only renewable gas I am aware of is Methane, while it is a
good fuel for stationary engines as a mobile fuel it has many
problems. All other combustible gases are as finite as oil.
 
We can extend the life of the car by; reducing motor size,
improving economy, banning motor sport in it’s current form,
switching from plans to airships, replacing petrol engines with
diesel, but we cannot stop the inevitable.

Weekend Edition

Well, who would have thought a newspaper could get it all so wrong? 

We are referring to the headline “Motorpark $20,000 away”.  For the record, Fraser Coast Motorpark Inc. the group investigating the possiblity of a Driver Training & Education facility for the Fraser Coast does in fact have the required funds and the Business Case (aka Feasibility Study) is well underway.

The project will incorporate an element of Motorsports Competition but the main focus of the group is to provide a facility where young drivers can cut their teeth safely learning road skills, older drivers can brush up on theirs as well as possiblities for advanced driver training (Emergency Services, Truck Driver Training, Plant Operator Training). 

Heres the facts:

1. The Motorpark proposal is subject to it being found to be sustainable and financially sound by the business case currently being completed. 
2. The “Dundathu” site is one option but others are being considered. 
3. David Dalgleish, like several others currently involved has been passionate about the concept for quite some time, however, until the forming of Fraser Coast Motorpark Inc there has not been a professional approach to the concept rather the old school “Pass the hat around, grab a couple of mates, a few working bees later and we’ll have it” approach. 
4. The group does in fact have funding for the current phase with assistance of the former Hervey Bay and Maryborough City Councils and generous support of the Hervey Bay RSL organised through David and Mick Kruger.
5. FCMP did have state government funding knocked back 2 years ago but that was because it did not quite fit the guidelines of the funding available at the time.   A small Federal Government grant was promised by Paul Neville during the recent election campaign but as the Coalition was not re-elected these funds were not realised.
6. Currently local clubs already host quality events.  The proposal is to provide a unified site for these groups but final makeup of the proposal will depend on viability of each component.  There are currently no plans for a world class motorbike or car circuit much less V8 supercars or Superbikes that Cr Dalgleish likes to mention.

 In coming days we will put forward a few opinions of readers on the concept and we welcome any thoughts via email: bringbackstrewth@gmail.com

ANZAC DAY

ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia’s most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

LEST WE FORGET

We expect better

Who else got a laugh out of last night’s local news?  The bush mechanics on tha telly telling us what we’ve know for too long now.. some Hervey Bay residents have no regard for road rules and Main Roads & Council have have completely failed in solving the traffic problems on Boat Harbour Drive. 

For those who missed it we saw Cr Dalgleish and his trusty side kick Cr Les out measuring the streets to highlight the need for U-turns at the corner of Boat Harbour Drive and Central Avenue.  Maybe it was just playing up for the cameras but Les was not wearing Hi-Vis clothing as he measured the curb nor did they have a traffic controller assisting them as he ran a tape across the roadway.  Safety first next time Les!

Important issue yet it was a silly way to demonstrate the situation.  To top it all off, Dave used the opportunity to take yet another cheap attack on the local member..  It is one thing to try and make a point but clearly there are smarter ways to achieve a better outcome for the community.

–0–

In other news, sources have provided the name of the councillor who was heard publicly mouthing off about her counterparts and yes.. we know which one she thinks should be pulled into line, who makes her nauseous and the councilor who wishes he could wash his hands of Maryborough’s problems..  we won’t name names just yet but as we saw with today’s episode, things really need to change and fast.

 

Already?

We all knew the maiden voyage of the good ship Fraser was going to be a difficult one but we seriously suspect many of the incumbents thought it would be a much easier transition.  Each and every council had more than a few skeletons in the closet and it was always going to be ugly as these were discovered and brought to light. 

Freeclarion had an interesting article yesterday on a certain councilor who was heard in public to be moaning and groaning about her fellow councilors.  http://frasercoastfreeclarion.blogspot.com/2008/04/cracks-appear-in-new-council-team.html

Another story circulating is that there is emerging tension within council offices as staff find themselves working under different personalities and in many circumstances changed work practises.  One has to wonder what measures have been put in place to prevent this from happening.

Managing change was always going to be a major problem and the behaviour of some councilors already is not going to help.  It is one thing to ensure the phones are answered and the rubbish still collected but we’re talking a complete upheaval where many individuals have been completely flung out of their comfort zones.   We can only hope that our elected representatives pull their heads in, grow up a little and start setting an example for the rest of the team to follow. 

John Neve writes:

Mr Glen Winney of Airport Industrial Estate fame, believes
someone should make a commitment regarding the proposed
water park. Councillor McNeven is “all for it” and of course she
would be. To oppose it would be in conflict with her future
husband. Mr Winney feels Hervey Bay’s infrastructure lags
behind our tourist’s expectations and he could well be right.
However,  to expect ratepayers to provide such infrastructure
is not on. Both local and interstate entrepreneurs have created
this situation. In my view it is up to them to go the extra mile
and build the tourist style infrastructure.
 
If it’s a toss up between spending x millions of dollars of
ratepayers money on tourist attractions. Or the same amount
on our roads, I say go for the roads. Six years ago I said our
city should not put all its eggs in one basket, but our councillors
failed to listen. Let’s get some real industry into the Fraser Coast
Council’s region. Let’s give our young people some job choice,
not every one wants to be a drunks servant. Hitler once referred
to the British as a race of shopkeepers. Are we becoming a race of
tourist lackeys?
 

Another day

Such protests simply hurt the athletes” Nancy Says and she
may be right. She is also right when she says political leaders
are insincere when using sport to promote their points of view.
 
However, what she fails to acknowledge, is that she and most
other editors assist and condone the actions of our political
leaders. In the interest of keeping their jobs and making a quid,
they go with the flow. Bond was a hero, then he was a dog!
Skase was a hero, then he was a dog! It was right to invade
Iraq, wasn’t it? 
There are two types of editors, those that pursue the truth and
those that pursue a quid. I leave it to you to decide who’s, who.
 
John A Neve

You’ve kicked REST out, now what?

Ok here’s another fallout from the amalgamation process.  REST, a voluntary organisation that funds its community programs from recycling, had a contract with the old Maryborough City Council to run the recycling operations at its rubbish tips.  That contract expires at the end of the month. REST sought to have that extended until the new tenders where called but after weeks of talks with councillors, they now face eviction. The recycling centre is its only source of funding and without it REST and the Bazaar Street Community Centre could be forced to fold. 

REST supports 18 community groups who rely on its ongoing operations. These include a Youth Centre for young people affected by mental illness and a computer school for more than 200 senior citizens.

Information from our friends at FraserCoastFreeClarion indicate that the recycling operations are due for tender in seven months time.  If this is correct, what will be happening with recyclable items in the meantime?  Why couldn’t council organise an interim agreement with REST to continue their work until a proper tendering process can be completed?  If you feel strongly about this issue please send an email to the mayor or his councilors.. or even better the whole damn lot of them and tell them loud and clear they need to sort it out.  The future is in RECYCLING!

Dirty old coal

Roger Currie has drawn our attention to Tiaro Coal and I’m glad
he did. The question is should be why are we searching for coal?
Don’t we already have millions of tonnes of it? Isn’t it to blame
for most of the worlds airborne pollution? Isn’t coal inherently
dirty?
 
Of all the things money should be spent on, I would have
thought coal was about the last! Medical research, renewable
energy, increased food production, but not more coal.
 
I am willing to bet this company is getting tax concessions,
government subsidies, plus those at the top are getting huge
salaries. Searching for something we don’t want and don’t
need.
 
No wonder Kevin is seeking FRESH ideas, maybe we could
loan Kate to Tiaro Coal. (John Neve)

Ben Collingwood has this to say on the matter:

Like it or not, Australia is rich in resources.  It just happens that some of these resources when not used carefully can cause a large amount of pollution.  What is the solution?  Do we swap to nuclear power?  Do we stop consuming altogether and go back to living like indigenous Australians did 250 years ago?  I doubt it.

A small example of climate change propaganda gone wrong is the humble light globe.  We’ve all rushed out and changed from incandescent bulbs to these fantastic fluoro ones that save energy and in turn must be good for the environment right?  Wrong!  Trouble is with these little suckers is they contain mercury so when they reach the end of their lifecycle and end up in landfill we are actually causing a new pollutant.  (Strewthisback writes: Ok so Ben wasn’t quite on the money here.. see “Electric Sheep’s explanation in the comments)  In exactly the same manner, swapping from coal power to nuclear as some would have it would do exactly the same thing - nuclear waste is very difficult to get rid of.  What is the solution?

PS.. If we HAVE to have mining in our back yards, we need to ensure the company doing the mining is Australian owned so the money stays in Australia and is not syphoned overseas.  A quick read of Tiaro Coal’s website would have me believe they are not local operators rather overseas interests.