Our Say: Passion for protection

EDITORIAL: Tasmania is known for its pristine wilderness and natural environment. That’s why it’s absolutely impossible to fathom why people are dumping their rubbish in reserves or along roadsides.

NOT only do we live in Australia’s most pristine state, we have a proud history and work hard to preserve both our natural environment and our heritage. A cursory glance through today’s paper makes that quite clear.

On page 11 we have the Hobart City Council voting to reject a planning application to build a cottage at the back of a heritage-listed New Town home.

The reason given for the refusal was that the lawns would be torn up to make way for the new dwelling.

Apparently the land was originally owned by the Spode family and, even though the Tasmanian Heritage Council didn’t have a problem with the proposal, council planning officers did.

On page 12, we report that more than 1600 people have signed a petition to save the icebreaker RSV Aurora Australis from leaving Australia. A new group, the Aurora Australis Foundation, wants to purchase the ship to create a permanent museum to celebrate Australian achievements in Antarctica.

On page 16, we revisit the campaign against UTAS plans for the Domain campus, and a story on page 17 shares progress on a bird sanctuary at Arm End.

Now, no matter what side of the fence you sit on with each individual issue, there is a strong-running theme that Tasmanians are passionate about protecting the things that make our state special.

That’s why it’s absolutely impossible to fathom why people are dumping their rubbish in reserves or along roadsides.

In Wednesday’s Mercury we reported that a community in southern Tasmania had become so sick of rubbish being illegally dumped in a bushland reserve that they’ve set up cameras to catch the culprits in the act.

Our letter writers are understandably irate about that environmental vandalism, with some calling for more reward for recycling. You’d think maintaining our beautiful state would be reward enough.

We can try the carrot because it doesn’t appear the stick works much either. Last year, parliament passed legislation to increase penalties for illegal dumping, yet it continues regardless.

Most of us will always do the right thing when it comes to disposing of our waste but, unfortunately, too many still think it’s the responsibility of someone else to make sure their waste is picked up.

Information on illegal dumping should be reported to the Litter Hotline on 1300 135 513.

Meanwhile, spare a thought for poor old Victoria — its residents finally know how it feels to be the island state.

In all seriousness, Premier Peter Gutwein made the right call yesterday deciding to close our borders to Victorians, though given Melbourne residents have been forced into lockdown for six weeks, we would hope this renders it a moot point.

Our thoughts are with our friends and family across the strait who face a tough few weeks grappling with regaining control of the coronavirus spread.

If they can all do their bit, we’ll be welcoming Victorians back to Tasmania soon enough, and we’ll happily return to our natural position of being the odd state out.