Another chance to
muddy the waters
It is no surprise that tourism people in Sunraysia are all for a casino to be built here.
Just like they will rub their hands together over the summer holiday season and beyond as the wake boats swarm the water to churn our pristine clear waters into a brown soup.
Repercussions don’t seem to come into the equation, just money.
Ross Innes,
Mildura
Let’s focus on new,
positive industries
I AM the first to acknowledge that Don Carrazza has been a progressive visionary over many decades in Mildura and many of his ventures have benefited our community and others, including his fostering the establishment of the famous Cantina of his son-in-law Stefano.
However, to the extent that Don is involved in or promoting the possible establishment of a casino in Mildura, that would be madness and folly and not in any way in the best interests of our community.
It may benefit the government through its tax take, and may benefit the operator, but all of the other aspects of a casino in Mildura would be negative at best and potentially disastrous.
There are more than enough gambling outlets in Sunraysia already for the “benefit’’ of locals and visitors.
There is sufficient statistical data of the negative impact of poker machines in our district, and elsewhere, and the even greater social and economic impact of the existing casino in Melbourne.
While our district is currently enduring difficult times by virtue of drought and other factors impacting our primary industry – and there appears to be a short-term setback in relation to the proposed development of solar infrastructure – this district has proved itself to be resilient and able to adapt to and overcome periodic climatic or other hardships.
Let us focus on the development of new and positive industries such as fish farming, diversity of other primary industries, and creation of solar energy, and eschew developments such as a casino, which are inherently loaded with negatives and no positives, so far as the wider interests of our community are concerned.
Keith E. Richards OAM,
Buronga
Development must be
socially responsible
THE Local Government Code of Conduct dictates that councillors maintain an open mind in relation to all matters requiring their consideration.
Councillors are precluded from “pre-disposition” or a declared stance on any issues coming before council for adjudication.
The recent and “rekindled” suggestion that Mildura could be the site for a casino is a proposition which has required me to think more seriously about my obligations.
But I can declare an “open mind”on the proposal in the event that the suggested casino is economically, socially and ethically appropriate to our municipality.
For that to happen, the proponents will need to convince me that:
SUCH a development would actually reward Mildura, as opposed to those who would simply seek to make money from gambling.
ITS presence would not be a magnet for undesirable interests.
VULNERABLE groups within our municipality will not be seduced by the illusion of instant wealth.
THE already disturbing statistics in relation to problem gambling will not be heightened or encouraged.
OUR al fresco dining, the envy of regional Australia, will not be compromised by influences which potentially threaten our family-friendly environment.
OUR riverfront will not become a precinct dedicated to indulgence and hedonistic pursuits.
While I remain determined to retain an “open mind” in relation to all proposals which come to council, I am compelled to confess that my mind is fixed when it comes to considering the importance of resisting any development which is not socially and economically responsible.
Cr Vernon Knight,
Mildura Rural City Council
Concern over wash
from tourist boat
The Spirit of the Murray may be great for tourism, I do agree, as long as other river vessels are not affected by this craft.
We were on our houseboat last Sunday when Spirit of the Murray went by (travelling upstream) the impact of water being drawn from the river bank then thrust back to the bank is rather severe at the speed the Spirit of the Murray was doing, then to deal with the wash that follows is not much better.
My husband was almost thrown off balance, items rattling and almost falling inside and outside our houseboat.
Not to mention the crashing of the front of our houseboat into the river bank.
I strongly urge all boat owners to be on their boats to note the effect Spirit of the Murray has on their vessels and small river craft.
Also private diverters should take note of suction pipes.
I also feel the suction and crashing cannot be good long term for our river bed or banks, most certainly not good for moored vessels.
Concerned houseboat owner
Name and address supplied
For more of this story, purchase your copy of Monday’s Sunraysia Daily 19/10/2009.
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