In a 1996 advertisement for what is now an outdated technology, visitors to a Zoo are busily trying to focus their fancy SLR cameras to photograph a fast-paced primate. While they try to get their equipment focussed, the primate instead whips out a Kodak disposable camera and takes a photo of the visitors instead… the slow-movers lost their opportunity…
It’s all about focus. As a region, we sometimes get so wound up in small issues we lose focus of the bigger picture. By the time this newsletter hits your inbox, the Gorge Hotel will have (hopefully ) had the next stage its development approved. Everyone has been focused on how high it is, or what it looks like, or whether it fits into heritage context. We can’t however ignore the jobs it will generate – during construction, from operations; and in the upstream supply chains as well. Then there’s the additional tourist dollars it’ll bring with the benefits of attracting larger conferences to Launceston. There’s solid evidence that people who visit as conference delegates return as holidaymakers and sometimes as settlers. A point of reference is Devonport. The difference a convention centre can make is palpable. We must maintain focus and allow private capital & developers to pursue investments that deliver benefits to the whole city. Make it too hard and they’ll simply go elsewhere and we’ll be worse for it. We need to get ahead, not just keep up.
Then there’s the Estuary. Setting aside the issue of how to “fix” the Tamar; why does the River/Estuary divide us so? We had a presentation from Professor David Adams at the Tamar Valley Leader’s lunch yesterday, and the overarching theme was that until we get a cohesive reimagining of who we are as a community, we’ll be stuck-in-the-mud of the divided opinion of how best to move forward. How to define ‘us’ seems to be the big question… The Chamber’s view remains focussed on advocating for a catchment authority that takes the science-based recommendations of TEER / TEMT; considers the equal needs of environment, community & economy and lays down policy and process to deliver a program of remediation that will survive generations and political cycles. It won’t be easy, it won’t be quick, but it will be a path forward. Let’s focus on that.
Post Script: In the newsletter 2 weeks back I spoke of complacency in the Community around social distancing, masking-up and the need to remain vigilant around COVID. I referenced an interaction at the airport which a few have gently pointed out sounded critical of the Airport. I need to make clear that the airport staff were faultless in their execution of COVID-safe behaviour. Indeed, for the most part, all venues are doing better at this… My focus was that it’s us the consumers who need to be better at distancing, hygiene and checking in. Stay focussed on that too…