Dear Editor.

John Nethery’s letter of 26/8/11 sounds like words of wisdom and considerable knowledge.
0n the other hand, Gerry Hauska’s and his friend Saeed De Ridder’s unqualified comments sound more like communist/green and Islamic radical propaganda, with the added indication that both are economically and politically illiterate.

Such people do not learn, they are too busy spreading their own doctrine.
Just a little like Julia Gillard’s self-destructive propaganda, a total flop.

May I suggest,  It is a waste of time having tit for tat via media with such extremists.

Paul Kalenjuk
Ravenshoe

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Moffat St shade tree removal is barbaric!

The notice in last weeks Northern Herald by TRC that they intend to remove all of the avenue of shade trees beside the footpath  from Moffat St. to Kennedy Highway , Ravenshoe is a disgracefull insult to our beautifull town.

To assert that the removal is necessary because it would not be "practical" to maintain them once the drain is enlarged is not only arrogant  but careless to the point of  sheer stupidity.

These trees are very healthy , pose no threat ,provide needed shade for pedestrians and perhaps most importantly provide a beautifull entrance into our town. The first thing locals and visitors alike see when turning off the Kennedy highway into our town is this beautifull line of shady trees. First impressions are important.

Being a nationally & internationally respected horticulturist  and Agroforestry consultant ,after inspecting the trees on site  & the current drain, it is obvious that with due care & proffessionalism the drain can be increased in size (perhaps not exactly how the council would like to do it) without affecting the trees.

It would probably mean that some small sections of the grass spoon drain around some trees would have to be wipper snipped instead of  mown as is the current practice. Is this the " impractical to maintain" excuse that the council are inferring ?

Surely these beautifull trees are well worth saving! Once gone -gone forever!

It should be said that if these trees are removed that this then sets up a horrible precedence whereby the remainder of the trees in this avenue beside the grass spoon drain heading into town could also be removed in the future as they too will become "impractical " to maintain. This excuse could also be applied to any street tree anywhere in our town. "Impractical to maintain?"  The TRC needs to get real !!

I urge all residents & visitors to Ravenshoe to object strongly to TRC  insisting that they , our ,the general publics , servants do not remove these trees and instead find in their own terms less "practical" ways to enlarge the drain and  maintain the trees & spoon drain without harming the trees. Residents who want to keep the entrance to our town beautifull and the footpath tree lined & shady should also register their objections with our Herberton resident  and only council representative Cr. Sharon Linwood immediatley  before the trees are hastily removed.

Mr.Steven Prowse