Since the beginning of the year the tension in the Ralph’s Bay area has been mounting and the Lennon Government seems to remain defiantly silent. We wonder whether the Walker’s Development concept is in fact a done deal. If so how can Crown land be offered to a private inter-state developer and for how much?

It is essential that all politicians listen to the experts who don’t have a vested interest in the Walker concept and are qualified to inform us of the development’s impact.

After attending an information night, I left thinking if the Walker concept wasn’t so serious the proposal was laughable. Professor Bullen (Engineer - University of Tasmania), Dr John Hunter (Oceanographer- University of Tasmania) and Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick (Environmentalist - University of Tasmania) all outlined the negative impact on Ralph’s Bay by the proposed Walker Development.

This Labor Government has been put in power by voters who believe they will be the best party to serve our state and listen to the concerns of it’s people. Who are the politicians against this proposal?

The majority of people who live in the Lauderdale and surrounding areas do so because they enjoy the lifestyle, the close proximity to beaches and the natural beauty around them. It seems that everything has a price including Ralph’s Bay which is a conservation area, critical for migratory and resident bird-life. It is incredibly sad that our native wild life be disturbed in the pursuit of “progress”. Once our coastal shores are developed they are gone forever.

Canal development is banned in New South Wales and Queensland has ongoing problems with their existing canal estates. Why isn’t our government taking notice of this?

Tasmania is a truly unique place. We shouldn’t allow our shorelines to be exploited by companies who seem to have little respect for the environment and wild-life.

Lindy Ashton
Acton Park