Greening Australia

Jim van Ommen

The proposed planting of trees throughout the region on either side of the Midlands Highway has recently been brought to our attention in the press and is no doubt something of considerable interest to all Tasmanians and Australians, but I doubt that many of us would know what this entails. When I first read this I immediately assumed that this would include the upgrading of our Heritage Highway ambiance, but that does not appear to be the case. For decades this highway was indeed a heritage to be proud of but has gradually been allowed to deteriorate with many trees dying on account of old age and lack of maintenance. In this day and age there is no need for that as most of the surrounding pasture lands are now in close proximity to irrigation schemes. Native trees no doubt will require less maintenance, but even they have died back in great numbers and so we have no alternative but to look after what we have got and replace that which we have lost. I suggest replace them with deciduous trees and conifers that are in themselves beautiful on account of their shape, their colour and seasonal changes but also because they complement our native flora and form spectacular contrasts. The potential is there to turn this highway corridor into a scenic drive that is unique to our State, a pleasure to drive along and a great tourist attraction. A highway that will link the North and the South of our State in a spectacular way, rather than a stretch of road to negotiate to get from point A to point B in the shortest possible time. I strongly recommend that Greening Australia does everything in its power to encourage the Municipal Councils on either side of the Highway and the department of Tourism to give this matter the consideration it deserves. Kind regards, Jim van Ommen.

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