comment, opinion,

Michelle Goldsmith's recent letter asserts the government has omitted protecting the Leadbeater Possum in its $17.5M species bushfire rescue package, given they have not created another National Park within the Leadbeaters' home range. What Michelle omits is that the Leadbeater was once thought extinct (post 1939 bushfires) before growing in numbers above ~20,000 individuals in conjunction with a much more robust and far less controlled timber industry post 1939. That is, until Black Saturday (2009) bushfires wiped half of them out. Leadbeaters live in hollow bearing (old growth) mountain ash trees of age 120 years plus, as well as snow gums (and now man-made nest boxes). These trees are protected by law in the Central Highlands and have not been harvested for over 30 years. What the Royal Commission and 50+ other reports in bushfires since 1939 have stated is that fuel load mitigation is required in our temperate eucalypt forests - particularly in a climate growing hotter and drier. The way to do this is by reducing fuel loads, managing access roads, cultural burning and various other human interventions. The way NOT to do it is to create more underfunded National Parks with failed conservation mentalities of 'lock it up and leave' that are creating this mess. Conservation activists need to stop doubling down on their mistakes. Climate change is real - so is fuel management. Unfortunately, we will pay for both. I received a letter from Medibank Private saying my health cover for 2020 is going up by $30.50 per month. The top Extras 55 cover will be replaced by Top Extras 60, with more details available online. Why do we have to go online? Why couldn't the advice be sent to members ? You could then sit and make a decision. I will have to examine our health insurance, as it's approaching $6000 per annum - $497.60 per month. No wonder the younger generation are pulling out of private health. The increase is higher than the age pension or superannuation increases. This appears unfair for those aged and people needing care. I also wonder what our politicians are doing about this. Each week one submission judged the Letter of the Week will win its author two tickets to Bendigo Cinemas. Winners will be announced in each Saturday edition of the Bendigo Advertiser, and online at www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au Please note, all letters must carry the name, full address and daytime telephone number of the author. We will publish the writer's name and suburb/town. We also reserve the right to edit letters, and please note letters deemed inappropriate will not be published. Please send all letters to the Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or via a digital form at bendigoadvertiser.com.au