The Grand Arboretum Opening

Masquara said :

rogerthat said :

. Call me an acolyte, label it spin if it cuts you up that much, but this is not folklore, this is fact.

The ABC duly reported that the pine forest was burnt during the 2003 fires. You’re obfuscating, when what is needed is clarity.

No argument that a statement like that is wrong, and clarity is precisely my point. If the Chief or the ABC or anyone says “the pine forest was burnt by the 2003 fires” I will disagree with them.
But my disagreement with the original posts is based on them disputing that the arboretum is not an outcome of the 2003 fires. The 2001 fires destroyed the pine plantation – the 2003 fires were the foundation for the concept of an arboretum on that site.

Masquara said :

rogerthat said :

. Call me an acolyte, label it spin if it cuts you up that much, but this is not folklore, this is fact.

ACT Chief Minister was perfectly happy for the ABC to misreport the facts, and clearly encouraged just that. The ABC duly reported that the pine forest was burnt during the 2003 fires. You’re obfuscating, when what is needed is clarity. In the interests of truth being told when there is a bigger issue being misreported and mis-spun. As a New York journalist said recently on NPR: “If your mother tells you she loves you, get confirmation from a second source”.

Joseph Goebbels was very skilled in exploiting popular emotions of the masses and one of his beliefs was that “propaganda my be facilitated by leaders with prestige”.
This fits perfectly with what is happening here.
It has been said that Goebbels was so devious that even his wife believed her husband worked in advertising.

rogerthat said :

. Call me an acolyte, label it spin if it cuts you up that much, but this is not folklore, this is fact.

ACT Chief Minister was perfectly happy for the ABC to misreport the facts, and clearly encouraged just that. The ABC duly reported that the pine forest was burnt during the 2003 fires. You’re obfuscating, when what is needed is clarity. In the interests of truth being told when there is a bigger issue being misreported and mis-spun. As a New York journalist said recently on NPR: “If your mother tells you she loves you, get confirmation from a second source”.

dungfungus said :

rogerthat said :

dungfungus said :

Even our Chief Minister can’t get the history right. The arboretum did not “emerge from the ashes of the devastating Canberra bushfires”.
It was a single fire in 2001 that destroyed the radiata plantation where the aboretum now stands. There was nothing “devastating” about that fire.
Like the director of our centenary celebrations, the CM has confused the genesis of the aboretum with the 2003 fires.

This is correct. The 2001 fires destroyed the pine plantation well before the 2003 fires.

I say incorrect.

2001 destroyed the pine plantation, but it was not until the 2003 fires that the Bushfire Recovery Strategy was implemented, which comprised initiatives such as Stromlo Forest Park, the rebuild of Uriarra Village & Tidbinbilla, and the Arboretum. Following the 2001 fires the future of the radiata plantation site was undecided, other than a plan to replant pines. It was not until the aftermath of the 2003 fires that the Arboretum concept was born.

Therefore statements from the Chief, the Director, the ABC, and anyone else claiming that the Arboretum emerged from the ashes of the 2003 fires are correct..

Out of the smoke and ashes another acolyte appears to support the story that is becoming folklore.
Are you seriously suggesting that ashes from the 2003 fires were transported to the site where the arboretum is so it could emerge?
Whatever spin you care to put on it, the fire where the aboretum now exists happened in 2001.

I’m not disputing that the 2001 fires destroyed the pine plantation where the arboretum now stands, but there was no plan or intention to build an arboretum on that site until after the 2003 fires. Following the 2001 fires ACT Forests replanted pines on the site. The decision to build an arboretum was an outcome of the 2003 fires, plain and simple. Call me an acolyte, label it spin if it cuts you up that much, but this is not folklore, this is fact.

rogerthat said :

dungfungus said :

Even our Chief Minister can’t get the history right. The arboretum did not “emerge from the ashes of the devastating Canberra bushfires”.
It was a single fire in 2001 that destroyed the radiata plantation where the aboretum now stands. There was nothing “devastating” about that fire.
Like the director of our centenary celebrations, the CM has confused the genesis of the aboretum with the 2003 fires.

This is correct. The 2001 fires destroyed the pine plantation well before the 2003 fires.

I say incorrect.

2001 destroyed the pine plantation, but it was not until the 2003 fires that the Bushfire Recovery Strategy was implemented, which comprised initiatives such as Stromlo Forest Park, the rebuild of Uriarra Village & Tidbinbilla, and the Arboretum. Following the 2001 fires the future of the radiata plantation site was undecided, other than a plan to replant pines. It was not until the aftermath of the 2003 fires that the Arboretum concept was born.

Therefore statements from the Chief, the Director, the ABC, and anyone else claiming that the Arboretum emerged from the ashes of the 2003 fires are correct..

Out of the smoke and ashes another acolyte appears to support the story that is becoming folklore.
Are you seriously suggesting that ashes from the 2003 fires were transported to the site where the arboretum is so it could emerge?
Whatever spin you care to put on it, the fire where the aboretum now exists happened in 2001.

dungfungus said :

Even our Chief Minister can’t get the history right. The arboretum did not “emerge from the ashes of the devastating Canberra bushfires”.
It was a single fire in 2001 that destroyed the radiata plantation where the aboretum now stands. There was nothing “devastating” about that fire.
Like the director of our centenary celebrations, the CM has confused the genesis of the aboretum with the 2003 fires.

This is correct. The 2001 fires destroyed the pine plantation well before the 2003 fires.

I say incorrect.

2001 destroyed the pine plantation, but it was not until the 2003 fires that the Bushfire Recovery Strategy was implemented, which comprised initiatives such as Stromlo Forest Park, the rebuild of Uriarra Village & Tidbinbilla, and the Arboretum. Following the 2001 fires the future of the radiata plantation site was undecided, other than a plan to replant pines. It was not until the aftermath of the 2003 fires that the Arboretum concept was born.

Therefore statements from the Chief, the Director, the ABC, and anyone else claiming that the Arboretum emerged from the ashes of the 2003 fires are correct..

dph said :

So can anyone answer this question?… An Arboretum in a city that is surrounded by parks & bush land… Why?

Because it looked like a good idea at the time. You can do almost anything when you have unlimited access to money and no accountability as to the outcome.

dustytrail said :

Canberra is a Planned City. There are more Planners employed here than anywhere else in Oz, I imagine. They are the Boss of You and there is nothing you can do about it. *wink*

Very true.

It was silly of me to ask about a highly questionable project, which is costing millions of dollars to build and maintain.

In a city that couldn’t be more spread out if they tried, with multiple parks & nature reserves, surrounded by bush land & mountains, I’m sure glad they spent all that money building a tree park.

Canberra is a Planned City. There are more Planners employed here than anywhere else in Oz, I imagine. They are the Boss of You and there is nothing you can do about it. *wink*

GardeningGirl said :

National museum, arboretum, other arboretum, rock garden, zoo, multistorey underground parking with some sort of shuttle around the venues, ferry link to the city, I don’t know, maybe there’s some flaws with how I would of seen it, but I reckon there’s wasted opportunities. I like the arboretum though, really looking forward to visiting it, not on the big day though.

Canberra born and bred, huh?

dph said :

Gungahlin Al said :

dph said :

So can anyone answer this question?… An Arboretum in a city that is surrounded by parks & bush land… Why?

Because you have a very large area of land that will never be built on due to National Capital Plan restrictions and you have to do something with it, so why not make it something special, this being the nation’s capital and all?

Is there no way to over turn the restrictions? Was there simply no other options?

I just don’t understand the logic behind building a tree park in Canberra when we’re surrounded by bush land, national parks, mountains etc…

Why does everything have to be logical and practical all the time? Can`t we just have some things because they`re nice? I can`t wait to go there and check it out.

dph said :

Gungahlin Al said :

dph said :

So can anyone answer this question?… An Arboretum in a city that is surrounded by parks & bush land… Why?

Because you have a very large area of land that will never be built on due to National Capital Plan restrictions and you have to do something with it, so why not make it something special, this being the nation’s capital and all?

Is there no way to over turn the restrictions? Was there simply no other options?

I just don’t understand the logic behind building a tree park in Canberra when we’re surrounded by bush land, national parks, mountains etc…

And Sydney has an aquarium and swimming pools when it’s right next to the sea. Stupid!

Gungahlin Al said :

dph said :

So can anyone answer this question?… An Arboretum in a city that is surrounded by parks & bush land… Why?

Because you have a very large area of land that will never be built on due to National Capital Plan restrictions and you have to do something with it, so why not make it something special, this being the nation’s capital and all?

Is there no way to over turn the restrictions? Was there simply no other options?

I just don’t understand the logic behind building a tree park in Canberra when we’re surrounded by bush land, national parks, mountains etc…

dph said :

So can anyone answer this question?… An Arboretum in a city that is surrounded by parks & bush land… Why?

Because you have a very large area of land that will never be built on due to National Capital Plan restrictions and you have to do something with it, so why not make it something special, this being the nation’s capital and all?

dph said :

So can anyone answer this question?… An Arboretum in a city that is surrounded by parks & bush land… Why?

Yes and why would you have lawns or a flower gardens when there are paddocks everywhere?

So can anyone answer this question?… An Arboretum in a city that is surrounded by parks & bush land… Why?

People can enjoy a wide range of activities on the day. These include;
Walking.
Trees.
Hippes.

Postalgeek said :

No such thing as a free bus.

Like clockwork…

^^ This.

dungfungus said :

Gungahlin Al said :

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

Seriously? Free buses from all over. Drive all you like – to one of those locations. Then open your mind.

You’d rather an hours-long jam like happened at the last big function at the Museum?

Some people in Canberra really need to wake up to a reality that does not involve driving a car to within 20 metres of every single thing they do in life.

No such thing as a free bus.

Like clockwork…

Gungahlin Al said :

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

Seriously? Free buses from all over. Drive all you like – to one of those locations. Then open your mind.

You’d rather an hours-long jam like happened at the last big function at the Museum?

Some people in Canberra really need to wake up to a reality that does not involve driving a car to within 20 metres of every single thing they do in life.

No such thing as a free bus.

Gungahlin Al said :

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

Seriously? Free buses from all over. Drive all you like – to one of those locations. Then open your mind.

You’d rather an hours-long jam like happened at the last big function at the Museum?

Some people in Canberra really need to wake up to a reality that does not involve driving a car to within 20 metres of every single thing they do in life.

You forget, Al, it’s politically incorrect to call it a ‘free bus’. They are now called ‘revenue-challenged buses’, or better yet ‘buses without fares’ because they are a bus first and foremost.

‘Free bus’ makes it sound like anyone can just take one home.

Postalgeek said :

grump said :

gasman said :

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

As well as the free shuttlebus mentioned, there is also a magnificent bike path right to the front gate.

Think outside the car.

If you were elderly, disabled, with small children etc etc, after the last public concert there, you’d not be going again without greater consideration being given to accessing the site – no car park within cooee on a major highway,, no lighting for functions finishing after dark, one way in, bottleneck. Totally inadequate for what it will become, be used as or promoted as.

It needs parking access in several locations, belco side, parkway side, down near the lake near older arboretum area.. simple!

There is sealed parking now in this location but I’m not going to pretend it’s not a walk.

http://goo.gl/maps/LKJzI

And who paid for all this? I am sure the same government was whinging some time ago about the high cost of constructing car parks in Civic as an excuse for closing them down.

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

Seriously? Free buses from all over. Drive all you like – to one of those locations. Then open your mind.

You’d rather an hours-long jam like happened at the last big function at the Museum?

Some people in Canberra really need to wake up to a reality that does not involve driving a car to within 20 metres of every single thing they do in life.

grump said :

gasman said :

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

As well as the free shuttlebus mentioned, there is also a magnificent bike path right to the front gate.

Think outside the car.

If you were elderly, disabled, with small children etc etc, after the last public concert there, you’d not be going again without greater consideration being given to accessing the site – no car park within cooee on a major highway,, no lighting for functions finishing after dark, one way in, bottleneck. Totally inadequate for what it will become, be used as or promoted as.

It needs parking access in several locations, belco side, parkway side, down near the lake near older arboretum area.. simple!

There is sealed parking now in http://goo.gl/maps/LKJzI

Masquara said :

dungfungus said :

Even our Chief Minister can’t get the history right. The arboretum did not “emerge from the ashes of the devastating Canberra bushfires”.
It was a single fire in 2001 that destroyed the radiata plantation where the aboretum now stands. There was nothing “devastating” about that fire.
Like the director of our centenary celebrations, the CM has confused the genesis of the aboretum with the 2003 fires.

The ABC reporter Ewan Gilbert seems bent on perpetuating the myth of a 2003 destruction on behalf of the ACT Government, as he reported this morning that the arboretum has “risen from the ashes of the 2003 Canberra bushfire”. Care to factcheck and clarify for us, Ewan Gilbert of ABC Radio?

Maybe in the smoking ceremony there this morning some of the wrong grass was used and he got a whiff of it. The government and all its media acolytes seem determied to use the 2003 bushfire as the determining event that gave someone the idea that we should have an arboretum on the site. Incidentally, why have a smoking ceremony instead of an ecumenical blessing?
It might have been appropriate if all the trees were native varieties but I understand all the trees are foreign/exotic. This is tantamount to an “invasion of flora” which is apparently OK.
European settlers are another matter.

dungfungus said :

Even our Chief Minister can’t get the history right. The arboretum did not “emerge from the ashes of the devastating Canberra bushfires”.
It was a single fire in 2001 that destroyed the radiata plantation where the aboretum now stands. There was nothing “devastating” about that fire.
Like the director of our centenary celebrations, the CM has confused the genesis of the aboretum with the 2003 fires.

The ABC reporter Ewan Gilbert seems bent on perpetuating the myth of a 2003 destruction on behalf of the ACT Government, as he reported this morning that the arboretum has “risen from the ashes of the 2003 Canberra bushfire”. Care to factcheck and clarify for us, Ewan Gilbert of ABC Radio?

FioBla said :

Yeeeeaahh, now if we could just go ahead and make sure we replace the trees with a car park, that’d be greaat. Mmkay?

Mmmm let’s see if Shane Rattenbury turns up on a bicycle …

dustytrail said :

The so-called lack of parking is ONLY for the opening night … check their site, I think they have 750 parking spaces. http://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/

If that’s the number it sounds like too much for an average day and too little for a special event.
Btw having looked at the website I want to go by horse. Really. Wish I had a horse. 🙁 I used to go riding in the pine forest in my far distant youth, before the Parkway even.

And which bus station is going to be blessed by our CM and her mates? I will bet money that somehow a carpark will be arranged for herself and cronies.

You could add to list of things to do:
– avoiding junkies and charity muggers in civic before you get the bus to the arboretum

– walking trails through rare and symbolic forests
– hands-on workshops for all ages including art activities and children’s amusements
– guided tours by the Friends of the National Arboretum and members of the Southern Tablelands Ecosystem Park
– sustainable garden advice from ACTEW Water at The Canberra Discovery Garden
– special talks by those involved in the Arboretum project including landscape architect Chris Johnstone and botanical consultant Mark Richardson.

So, they have shuttle buses to get there [pretty much the only way to get there], with 6 departure points. Each bus capable of 45ish passengers, with 13 departures for the day. That makes a total of 8100 people who don’t ride bicycles up steep hills who will visit the arboretum for the opening festival.
If you believe ACTION’s website, there are only 5 departure points running only till 1:30PM, making it only possible for 2025 people to arrive at the opening. What do you believe?
Also, if the event closes at 3:00PM and the last bus leaves at 3:30, what happens to the [possibly] hundreds of folks who can’t fit on the last shuttle service because they wanted to stay for the end of one of the live bands or are still walking back from the farthest reaches of the park?
Typical abysmal planning by a pathetic government, trying to think green on everything but failing to think logically. I hope I’m wrong, but I predict many frustrated and perplexed families and interstate travelers who have relied on our brilliant technology and organization [not].

The so-called lack of parking is ONLY for the opening night … check their site, I think they have 750 parking spaces. http://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/

Ah, just looked at the event page – no public parking unless you’re disabled. But lots of shuttle buses (and bicycle access) so what’s the problem?

Um, isn’t there an enormous two-level dirt carpark at the top of the hill, or has that all been given over to other functions? I’ll agree the access road up to the top seems a bit narrow, but it can’t be that much of a challenge if they get busses up there.

And for those who do like riding their bikes the ride up said road is a bugger, but the scream down the exit road from the top is awesome 🙂

National museum, arboretum, other arboretum, rock garden, zoo, multistorey underground parking with some sort of shuttle around the venues, ferry link to the city, I don’t know, maybe there’s some flaws with how I would of seen it, but I reckon there’s wasted opportunities. I like the arboretum though, really looking forward to visiting it, not on the big day though.

gasman said :

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

As well as the free shuttlebus mentioned, there is also a magnificent bike path right to the front gate.

Think outside the car.

Nobody wants to ride a bloody pushbike.

neanderthalsis said :

So where there were once trees, there are once again trees! And we’re allowed to walk around under them. Money well spent…

I agree, definitely money well spent. I wish all their ideas and execution was as good as this one

gasman said :

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

As well as the free shuttlebus mentioned, there is also a magnificent bike path right to the front gate.

Think outside the car.

If you were elderly, disabled, with small children etc etc, after the last public concert there, you’d not be going again without greater consideration being given to accessing the site – no car park within cooee on a major highway,, no lighting for functions finishing after dark, one way in, bottleneck. Totally inadequate for what it will become, be used as or promoted as.

It needs parking access in several locations, belco side, parkway side, down near the lake near older arboretum area.. simple!

Yeeeeaahh, now if we could just go ahead and make sure we replace the trees with a car park, that’d be greaat. Mmkay?

So where there were once trees, there are once again trees! And we’re allowed to walk around under them. Money well spent…

RiotFrog said :

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?

As well as the free shuttlebus mentioned, there is also a magnificent bike path right to the front gate.

Think outside the car.

Even our Chief Minister can’t get the history right. The arboretum did not “emerge from the ashes of the devastating Canberra bushfires”.
It was a single fire in 2001 that destroyed the radiata plantation where the aboretum now stands. There was nothing “devastating” about that fire.
Like the director of our centenary celebrations, the CM has confused the genesis of the aboretum with the 2003 fires.

The almost total lack of parking is interesting. Is this our cheerless leader’s latest parking policies in action?
I’m also wondering how many people will read/be aware of the fact that there is no parking?