Rick Pilkington
The point of my personal testimony is that these little social groups — these meaningful activities — that we daily take for granted, that don’t have a voice, that will never be represented to the same degree or have the access that the Gunns Ltd of this world do to the people in the halls of power — these are the daily activities that will be at best put at risk, or at worst lost, due to the broad-scale impact of this proposed pulp mill.
GUNNS will pipe water directly from Lake Trevallyn. I belong to the Launceston triathlon club. Our members along with members of Launceston swim clubs including the Aussie Masters have enjoyed this wonderful venue for many years now. Indeed, kayakers, fisherman, and trainee surf live savers have enjoyed this public place for many a year.
Friday evening swims over the summer months have been a tradition for many a year now. Many a local legend has participated in the Friday night swim group. I wish I had a dollar for every kilometre I have swum in this wonderful lake. This year was the first time in memory that the council have banned us from swimming in the lake due to blue-green algae. Indeed, I was probably the last dill to swim in the lake before the closure in February which is still maintained to this day. There was a very unflattering picture of me taken by an opportunistic Examiner photographer. How embarrassing!! Suffice to say, our lake is sick. Our river is sick. How will it cope with the further interference that is the needs of the big mill?
I love swimming in Lake Trevallyn. It never ceases to work its magic on me. My swimming buddies and I give the waters of LT an absolute flogging over summer. But as with many social and sporting organisations it’s more than just the activity itself. We all look forward to meeting up on Friday nights to sharing a common interest and our particular type of communion. Some look forward to the pub at that time of the week. But we all meet at the lake, swim and then go home with a raging hunger. Yet I also swim there 2-3 times a week solo. An hour swimming by myself in the lake is my quiet time. It’s a time that is always enjoyed and always valued. I apologise for gushing but I know that there are many who can relate.
The point of my personal testimony is that these little social groups — these meaningful activities — that we daily take for granted, that don’t have a voice, that will never be represented to the same degree or have the access that the Gunns Ltd of this world do to the people in the halls of power — these are the daily activities that will be at best put at risk, or at worst lost, due to the broad-scale impact of this proposed pulp mill.
Fishing & boating, swimming in Lake Trevallyn, cycling/walking around the Tamar, tourists, Sunday drivers, those driving to and from town everyday along the East and West Tamar highways, Everyday folk with their everyday persuits. These are some of the daily activities that will almost certainly be impacted and in no way be compensated with a measly $870.
The people of Launceston and the Tamar Valley need seriously to consider whether they are willing to give up the status quo, the environment that we now take for granted for a Post pulp mill world which we through many credible sources have been forewarned.
Earlier:
Take it back
