tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617610752412695885.post8627228480668880782..comments2017-05-15T16:36:55.519+10:00Comments on A Melburnians Response to Overshoot: Australia: A Coastal NationAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113030328290684028noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617610752412695885.post-54395899601679541142013-01-17T17:32:00.035+11:002013-01-17T17:32:00.035+11:00In a lot of small and some big ways the Goverment ...In a lot of small and some big ways the Goverment has made decisions that are intelligent in the face of overshoot. Keeping our shipbuilding capacity, refusing to store uranium, no nuclear power plants, carbon tax etc. A lot of stupid ideas too. <br /><br />I didn't even think of the fishing idea, but it makes sense and considering that the whaling ships at albany were made in Norway, it has the ring of truth.<br /><br />At the time, fear of foriegn invasion made sense since Britian might not have decided to defend us. Now, port phillip bay and the sydneys eqivalents are well fortified and we'll be forced to build a defensive (at least) navy. <br /><br />The lesson from the sack of Athens is preparation and and remebering that low tech weapons kill just as well as high tech. If Athens had even a wall of rubble it wouldn't have been sacked, but like a lot of Roman cities it had torn down it's wall.<br /><br />Its hot over here too, glad i've only had to walk to the cinema.<br /><br />Stay well and hope the farm survives. LeoAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07113030328290684028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4617610752412695885.post-90606298404990509222013-01-17T16:50:44.285+11:002013-01-17T16:50:44.285+11:00Hi Leo. I reckon you're spot on in your assess...Hi Leo. I reckon you're spot on in your assessment. The docks in Williamstown where they build ships are an impressive place. I reckon it is very wrong as a country to give up on your heavy industry despite the cost.<br /><br />The other thing that perhaps should be considered is that like the lack of fertility in the land (soil) and probably because of it, the seas surrounding Australia are particularly lacking in fish stocks. This may have reduced the need for large sailing fleets with all of the accompanying infrastructure.<br /><br />The port of Adelaide is closed to large ships and most containers travel Melbourne to Adelaide either by rail or road. Still it is cheaper to send containers Melbourne to Perth via ship than road.<br /><br />I remember reading too that before federation the colony of Victoria was particularly frightened of attack from the Russians. Even the visit of the Great White Fleet was a bit of a drama, but at the time they went all diplomatic and just feted them instead. Very wise. The HMS Cerberus which is now sunk at Half Moon bay was purchased from the UK to protect Victorian waters.<br /><br />As you quite rightly point out, you can do a lot of damage with low tech equipment (ie. the sacking of Athens).<br /><br />It's 37 here at the moment, which is just not good...<br /><br />Take it easy. ChrisFernglade Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06950962122594709186noreply@blogger.com