Land ownership, Council secrecy, Accolade from an International Tourist and Do We Need to Replace the RCB

Letters To The Editor – 31 March 2023

Letters this week discuss alternative “concepts” of land ownership, concern for secrecy in Council deliberations, a response to comments by an international tourist, and a call for Redlands2030 to fill the gap left by closure of the Redland City Bulletin.

Redlands2030 will publish letters about anything that might interest folk in the Redlands (subject to good taste and legal constraints). 

If you think it is important, then other folk might want to read your say.

We will publish letters expressing a wide range of views, including those we don’t agree with. We want you to have your say about what matters to you.

In this way, we hope to fill some of the void left in our community when the Redland City Bulletin publishes its final edition next week.

Email your letters to theeditor@redlands2030.net

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The Concepts of Land Ownership

Over the centuries, the concept of ownership has evolved in some societies whereas in others, the concept has remained constant.

Not long before PNG Independence, I was talking with a local PNG man about things in general.

“You know,” he said in a friendly way, “after you go, things will be different. You know how you go fishing in the river and catch fish. Well, that’s actually our fish. And that missionary who takes his motorboat out and catches fish in the ocean. Well, that’s actually our fish that he is scaring away with his outboard motor.”

It gave me pause for thought.

The concept of personally owning something has, in western societies, evolved from clan or tribal ownership to ‘ownership by the Crown’ or national ownership. This can then be purchased or possessed by an individual and then be resold at a later date.

Many well-meaning people, who have never really understood the concept of native title or tribal ownership, can’t see how that concept is hard to equate with personal ownership.

Therein lies the real basis of a serious misunderstanding.

P.O.
Cleveland

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Council secrecy and Birkdale plans

Here is something more of interest regarding the Birkdale Whitewater facility and it’s conflicting aspirations to the International Olympic Committee’s ‘New Norm’ De-Carbonising aspirations! 

The Paris 2024 Canoe-Slalom Venue (Built 2017) consumed 8,500 cubic meters (m3) of concrete in its construction. 

Using this 8,500 m3 as a baseline (in the absence of Birkdale 2032 specifications as yet):

Approx 0.48 tonne of cement goes into a cubic metre of concrete (aggregate and sand the balance).

But for every tonne of cement, 0.9 tonne of CO2 is emitted during its manufacture. 

Therefore 8,500 m3 of concrete embodies over 4,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. 

These are emissions the IOC would not have to book on its carbon tab, obviously, if the event was held in Penrith. 

Might be a useful debating point but better still why doesn’t our Council put all of the costs, implications and future management, maintenance and depreciation costs on the table so the community can judge the feasibility of the whitewater, (now resilience) facility and the veracity of the business case.

Why is everything this Council does ….a secret?

A secret from those holding the purse strings….the ratepayers!

M.M.
Redland Bay

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Overseas tourists want the real Australia

I refer to the letter posted 23 March on Redlands2030 from Anja Schnieder, of Germany about “Irresponsible White Water Waste” at Council plans for Birkdale Community Precinct.

I say, well said Anja. 

When International tourists make the decision to come to Australia, it’s not a decision taken lightly. They want to see as much as they can of real Australia – not cities and man-made structures.

We could learn a lot from visitors about the values that matter.

Sharon R.
Cleveland

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Do We Need to Replace the RCB?

Is there any chance Redlands2030 could pick up and be our local replacement for our lost local newspaper? You might, for example allow letters to the editor and so help keep us all informed as to what is going on in the community and what the plans are in the future for more “destruction”.

From reading today’s local paper there is a real need for important information for people so they know what is happening.

Just a thought,  I know you do a good job as it is, but I think the community is looking for support now that the paper has gone. My question is, do we need the replace the Redland City Bulletin? My answer is YES!

M.H.
Cleveland

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Previous Letters To The Editor

Here are more letters to the Editor:

Redland City Bulletin Closure, White Water Waste And Magical Mangroves

Letters To The Editor – 16 March 2023

Whitewater plans, World Wetlands Day and saving Trove

The Editor – Redlands2030

Redlands2030 – 31 March 2023