27 May 2009

Lite Greens?

| johnboy
Join the conversation
23

The Canberra Times reports on how Our Brave Leader was seriously having a go at the Greens yesterday, trying to paint them as just more of the cross bench rubbish which, over the years, has stupidly prevented him from doing whatever he pleases.

The flash point seems to be watering the small patch of grass in Kingston which he is determined to annihilate for reasons best known to himself. (Although if they do clearfell the inner south’s urban forest and demolish Manuka Oval residents might start to wonder if there’s some class warfare going on).

He appears to have been particularly stung by Caroline Le Couteur’s recent observation that there’s never a shortage of water for the unwanted arboretum.

Greens parliamentary convenor Meredith Hunter appears to be used to these tantrums and isn’t taking it too seriously.

Join the conversation

23
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

It just shows that Canberra is a town with too much media and not enough news when grass becomes a major political issue.

Tanbark is one of the worst things for hidden sharps also.

Was going to comment on it somehow, it’s ridiculous. Turf’s gone down there umpteen million times, and then crowds and a truck destroy it during the Multicultural Festival.

Rinse repeat…

On the subject of grass (and the absence of it), has anyone noticed the mess that is City Walk, at the Akuna Street end? The grass there used to be green and provide a really nice reprieve from the concrete everywhere else – but sadly, it too has been left to die a (very) unsightly death.

I agree with what sepi said too. And without the shrubs etc, its easy for us as parents on a sunday morning to pick up the bottles/glasses etc and other detritus from Saturday night idiots who can’t seem to find the bins themselves to make the space a safe one. And a place where you can drink your coffee and appropriately supervise the kids? heaven!

Gungahlin Al1:10 pm 27 May 09

LOL!

Of course there is no grass at Charnwood shops, it’s all car park!

There’s grass at Charnie, you just gotta know who to talk to.

I do have a soft spot for Queanbeyan, I must admit. I love that ‘main street’ ‘country town’ feel. Some southside playgroups and homeschooling groups specifically choose to meet at that park in Queanbeyan for those very reasons.

I’m sure there’s options, like planting with more hardy grass, maybe some local stuff like Wallaby Grass. It’s not as lush and green, but it grows in paddocks and doesn’t need constant watering, mowing, feeding etc. Kids could play on that.

Or they could head into Qbn with their kids to play on one of the best local parks I’ve seen, the main park that runs off Monaro St along Lowe St. It’s huge, green, and there’s a lovely sunken garden/lawn there too. Qbn City Council does not a bad job of being a city council.

Oh, what sepi said!

How does fake grass cope with cigarette butts?

I suspect the cost of cleaning vomit out of fake grass would far exceed maintaining the grass.

And would probably use more water too.

Farrer shops is carpark too.

I dunno how the fake grass would go with the ciggie butts and other detritus from the pub crowds at night.

They should lay that fake grass there. Problem solved.

No – that word isn’t better.

He is mad to keep on about this. Public opinion seems to be wildly in favour of keeping the grass. So much for consultation…

And in one breath he says that there is no grass at Farrer and Charnwood shops, so why should Kingston have grass, and in the next breath he defends the grass at Manuka shops.

The plan in the paper today looks ok, but I would prefer all grass, as it is now. Surely little bits of grass will get more hard wear. And a few shrubs is a nice idea, but it just means the kids playing can get out of sight, and one of the biggest benefits of the current open grass is that parents can drink a coffee and kids can run around inm plain sight.

Canberra is really lacking any kiosks with grass or play equipment nearby.

maybe ‘unnecessary’ is a better word, given we already have the National Botanical Gardens?

“There’s never a shortage of water for the unwanted arboretum”.

The arboretum is not ‘unwanted’.

It’s going to be a fantastic drawcard for the ACT in the future and will be there for generations to enjoy.

Sure, he’s the head of a minority government, but calling him “self-appointed” is overegging things to the point of silliness. He was appointed by a majority vote of the LA, after all. And even within the ALP only stays Labor leader by majority support of his caucus colleagues.

Thumper: Self-appointed? Last I looked he only had one vote out of the 17 in the LA that determine the Chief Minister.

“never a shortage of water for the unwanted arboretum.”

zing! good one Caroline!

I may start to like these Greens

”They’re no different to Dennis Stevenson, Paul Osborne, Dave Rugendyke, Michael Moore. Well, perhaps they are better than some.

I like the quick second-thoughts he had there. Who, out of that list, might be the “some”?

Gungahlin Al9:42 am 27 May 09

What Caroline said.

On Green Square: the paranoia TAMS have towards grass these days is pathetic and unwarranted – regardless of drought, social spaces in green are vital for society – particularly for those in denser areas.

On Lite: Mr Stanhope seems to be trying to tap into people who believe everything’s either black or white. Most Greens and greens I know and have known are ‘triple bottom line’ people, and can balance pragmatically. And I think the general populace of Canberra are smart enough to known that, and to spot ‘greenwash’ such as this a mile off.

And there’s the thing about mudslinging – backsplatter.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.