143 Kooyong Rd. North Caulfield, VICTORIA 3161, AUSTRALIA
P.O. BOX 2073, Caulfield Junction VICTORIA 3161, AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA: Phone & Fax: 03 9532 8818
INTERNATIONAL: Phone & Fax: 61 3 9532 8818
E-mail: peterbrohier@maptag.com.au

National Employment    |   National Sea Highway 

Map Tag merchandise is available directly from: 

Telephone within Australia and place your order on  0415 941 314 or  03 9532 8818 and leave your credit card details (Visa or MasterCard only).  

or  E-mail: peterbrohier@maptag.com.au 

A one-off postage and handling cost of A$8  is added to the total order, posted to locations within mainland Australia and Tasmania. A total charge A$14 for product sent in one package to all other locations outside Australia. (except for framed maps and sheepskin, where the price of postage and handling is on application or except as other wise determined by Map Tag). Products cannot be posted to the USA and Canada. 

Also a factory outlet is at Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Australia.  Location  C51 Thursday,  B72 Sunday

Copyright and registered design (as specified) and all other rights are reserved and apply to the whole of the contents of the Maptag web site and associated links and related products  P N Brohier 2007

 

Map Tag products are innovative and have a timeless and classical quality. They are ideal as gifts for the person that has everything and for visitors to Australia, as a feature when travelling interstate within Australia, or trips overseas. Map Tag products are based on a historical “Map of Australia”. The map, comprising  an unique piece of Australian art rather than a definitive guide, provides a unique external design for Map Tag products. In the 1960’s print and computer-generated lettering were about to dramatically change map-making forever. This map was drawn in 1966 by Edgar Brohier in an attempt to show that hand-drawn lettering and cartography could compete favourably with this new technology. This classical work was drawn by hand, using little more than a pen, ink and a ruler. Though revised in 1996 by other means, the map should still be regarded as an unique form of art, showing aspects of Australian history. It should not therefore be used as a current definitive guide. Edgar Brohier died before seeing his work published. The map was first published by his son, Peter Brohier, in 1996 and this publication may mark the end of an era of the publishing of maps of Australia drawn by hand. Map Tag products have been designed by Peter Brohier, lawyer and lobbyist, who was given a major Australian Hotels Association (Tasmania) award for bringing a National Sea Highway to Tasmania.  Rudd Labor has also endorsed the National Highway concept for Bass Strait. 

Some Map Tag products have been selected by probably the biggest name in design in London the Terence Conran Foundation for showing in the Design Museum, London. 

Media Releases   - All relevant media releases can be obtained by clicking on this link. Product supplied may differ from photographs shown. Click on Photographs to enlarge

 

 

   Map of Australia

 

Available rolled or folded.  

 

Price A$20 folded. Rolled: Small format $25 Large size A$35

Both unfolded    

     

The historical map has timeless beauty and was originally drawn by hand in the 1960's using little more than a pen, ink and ruler, and revised by the Australian Government ‘s surveying and mapping agency using a variety of cartographic methods. Printed in subdued colours and without advertising or tables, in folded form it opens and closes easily with a spine for bookshelf storage. In rolled form, it is supplied in a strong postal tube. Six copies of the map have been sold to the Australian Senate for framing.

 

In the small format the map has a traditional "old world" look and is ideal for hanging in hallways, the study and living areas. This map is printed in black on ivory "parchment" only. See image in next section below. The large format is in colour.  

 


Large Format: Unfolded & Rolled:     78 cm by 93cm. 

Folded 17cm by 17cm, spine 1cm.

Small  Format: Unfolded & Rolled:    47.5cm by 57 cm

 

   Framed Map of Australia

 

Large size: Price $290   Size framed   100 cm by 117 cm. Postage and Packaging: Price on application.

 

Small size: Price $140   Size framed   63 cm by 70 cm. Postage and Packaging: Price on application.

                           

 

With a traditional "old world" look, and in the small format, the historical map is ideal for hanging in hallways, the study and living areas. The map is printed in the colours of black on ivory "parchment" and a grooved, Brunswick green surround. It is framed in a walnut finish.  

 

In the large format, the map is an ideal feature to complement the study, office or boardroom. Beautifully framed in a walnut finish with a midnight blue surround, the map will enable you to have a piece of cartographic art. At least every home should have a map on the wall. This beautiful map is likely to complement any classical location. It is printed in subdued colours with no advertising or tables.

 

 

   Light sensitive maps of Australia and the world  

 

Price A$80 unframed and rolled in a strong postal tube.   
         A$250 framed.  Postage and packaging: Price on application 

              
Photographic representation of the maps as though they were taken at  night.
Ideal for framing. Needs a bright area or an incandescent light to display to full advantage of the design. Design will glow the more light is applied. 
Size unframed 51 cm by 61.5 cm  

  Stylish T shirt or singlet  Australian registered design, European registered design T&G set

 

Price $35. 

                    

When travelling outside Australia you can use the shirt to show what town you are from.
Also inside Australia or overseas show where you have travelled.

Available in sizes S,M,L as a close cut female T shirt, and size 10,12,14,16 Australian size as a singlet, excluding the map of Tasmania. This T shirt will combine with the Tasmanian G string or thong to uniquely display the whole map of Australia, between the T shirt and thong.
 
Also available in regular S,M, L, XL, XXL including Tasmania - sized easy. All T shirts show the whole map of Australia extending from the front to the back of the T shirt.
 
Also available as a regular sized T shirts with Western Australia on the front and the rest of Australia on the back. This shirt will allow, in conjunction with a regular T shirt, the whole of the map of Australia on both the front and back by using the two shirts. This is ideal for a "His and Hers" T shirts set for two people travelling together. Show your part of a travel duo. Standing together the whole of Australia is visible from the front and then the back when you go past! They make great discussions, worldwide. When you're separated from your partner others will know you're connected!

A sophisticated alternative to wearing just the name of your town or a kangaroo!

All T-shirts and singlets with black and burgundy writing on a white shirt

TESTIMONIALS:

 

Hi Peter, 

It was lovely to chat with you the other day, As I said when I wore my Black T-shirt recently on vacation in Port Douglas, I was stopped by so many Traders, and visiting Tourists from Europe, USA, New Zealand... but also many Australians. 

I could have sold MY t-shirt, one hundred times over, and everyone was amazed with the fine detail. My next purchase will be a white one and also a sarong. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to meeting you again at The Melbourne '82 Club Ionians when you will be guest speaker.

SD 

Canterbury, Melbourne 

 

I last emailed you regarding trying to obtain your famous "T & G" set. Due to us not having a free trade agreement, I was unable too. However, what I did not know, is that when I sent the first email, my friend there in Tas.. had called you, and it was already on its way. I had the T on at the beach recently, and WOW! What a conversation starter!

Who would have thought... and then when I said it had a matching G... hmmm, some conversation, I must tell you! 

Thanks to him, my friend, and you.... 

Melissa

In Sunny Florida

 

   Australian Fabric Map - table overlay - wall hanging - tablecloth  Australian 

Registered Design

 

Price A$35 wall hanging and table overlay and $50 for the larger tablecloth

 

 


These fabric maps will encourage great discussions regarding travel experiences. They are ideal as a gift to hosts and friends abroad. Also you can take them home and show where you have travelled. Great to hand on a wall to remember home.

                 

 

The same map of Australia is printed on 100% cotton. It is the perfect garment to take on that overseas or interstate trip. It can also be used as a sarong or tablecloth, It can be used to educate children in the car during a long trip and then stored in the glove-box. It is ideal as a wall hanging to recall a trip around Australia. It can be marked with fabric paint, purchased at most fabric shops,  to display points of particular interest or a lifetime of travel.

 

Available in: White writing on black poplin. 

Larger tablecloth available in black writing on white cotton

Wall Hanging or table overlay 100% cotton, size: 98cm x 146cm

Tablecloth 100%cotton,  size 133cm by 173cm

   Bikini’s  Australian registered design, European registered design T&G set

 

Price A$30 bottoms, A$20 tops   

Regardless of your size, this bikini will show you off and not great expanses of material.
Includes Map Tag's international Australian map logo.

              

 

Slip into style with this classic black bikini. Displaying a small map of Australia on the bra top or a map of Tasmania printed on the front. The bikini coordinates with both the T-shirt and sarong and is great fun to wear. Even at Rio or Cannes you can still show that strong Aussie connection! Narrow cut at the back with string ties.

 

Available red and blue in sizes women's 10 (small) 

   G Strings or thongs also bikini bottom style (female)   Australian registered design, European registered design T&G set

 

Price $15.   

 

                       

 

G strings with map of Tasmania design. Co-ordinates as a set with the XS female T shirts omitting Tasmania, thus showing the whole of Australia between the T Shirt and briefs

Available in a black map  on white or a white map on black

 

The set with T shirt or singlet and G string costs A$50. We suggest that as the T and G set has been displayed in top design museum in London you may also consider framing it. Not many garments are ever shown in design museums.  

in sizes 8 for about 88 cm hips
           small 10 for about 93cm hips
           medium 12 for about 98cm hips
           large  14 for about 103cm hips 

   Australia on a Sheep’s Back  TM     Sheepskin Rugs  -  trademark and  Australian registered design 

 

Price A$80 for XL (115cm plus length) sheepskin    

 

            

 

Thick luxurious Australian sheepskin crafted into square or rectangular rugs with the fabric Map of Australia design on the reverse. Allows those travelling Australia to show where they have travelled and provide an ideal rug for the home.  

 

Available as a large sheepskin with a tear off fabric map of Australia on the reverse.This depicts how Australia obtained its wealth in the past, from exporting sheep. Priced at A$80 

 

   Caravan or 4 Wheel Drive Rear Tyre Fabric   Australian Registered Design 

Ideal for "big trip" travellers to show how much of Australia you have seen!

 

Price A$40.  

 

         


Made of rugged PVC, the sheet has a detailed Map of Australia design that can be marked with fabric paint to show trips across Australia. Ideal for showing the big trip around Australia. The material can be used for many outdoor purposes and sewn onto existing tyre covers.

 

   Silk Maps of Australia 

 

Price A$50.  

 

            

 

Off white silk with a Map of Australia design printed in sky blue

Can be used as a scarf or small sarong. 

 

Size : About 100 cm square 
    Umbrella  Australian Registered design (large) 

Price A$50 large and A$30 small (the small umbrella has no prints on it). Both umbrellas are windproof.  

A sophisticated Australiana design - windproof polyester covering - fibreglass shaft .
Can return to shape easily when turned inside out and has an excellent rubber handle.

                                 small version  
Golf size quality umbrella with "good grip" rubber handle and fibreglass frame. Ideal for corporations or government agencies wishing to demonstrate a strong but subtle Australian connection. 

    World Fabric Map  Australian registered design

These encourage great discussions when placed on a table. Ideal for the next dinner party. Can be used as a wall hanging and marked with fabric paint.

Price A$40.   

     

May be used as a tablecloth, say for table settings for 6 persons. Ideal conversation starter over meals. The World Map was originally published under the direction of the CIA, Washington. The map has been enhanced, enlarged & printed by Map Tag.

Reduce the number of times you need to take out a heavy atlas. Makes a great wall feature. Black and grey print on white cotton fabric. 

Size about 133cm by 173cm 
   Men's Handkerchief Map of Australia

 The size of a men's handkerchief with a map of Australia design A$20 

 
Multi-purpose cotton material map design that can easily be carried and will make an inexpensive gift and combined with the greeting card. Also available ina bandanna size A$15 in black or while material;

100% cotton 

   Australian Travel Advisory Guide 

This pocket guide folds to about the size of a credit card. It includes many useful free call or reduced call phone numbers as well as general advice on where to stay, where to eat and what to see.

 

Size folded: 6.5 cm  by   9.0 cm

 

Unfolded:     9.0 cm  by   39 cm 

 

The guide provides a useful "aid to memory" for those travelling overseas & a quick summary for those arriving in Australia

 

The latest edition of the guide is available free by 

clicking here .

 

 

         
  Greeting Card and A1 size Poster 

A$5 Greeting card  
A$35 Poster - A1 size poster on photographic paper



The card and poster that just says it all! May be one of Australia's greatest photos that just says Australia!  
A great way to show off Australia or even Tasmania!. The greeting card can be combined with the small fabric maps.

 
   Fairy Song audio CD

This universal song is likely to be sung by children for decades. Click here to download a short sample (564KB wav format)

Price A$10.  

   

The CD contains the Fairy Song, a sweet song for small children. Words and background music are separated and then combined to enable children to sing the song with the music backing. Also the instrumental melody has tinkly song for easy listening by all age groups. The key bars of the music are also included as are MP3 and Midi ring tone tracks. 

TESTIMONIAL:

 

I purchased your CD of the Fairy Song at the Vic market recently. This is just a short note to let you know that we absolutely love it!! I bought the CD home and played to my little girl and my sister. When Irene sang her piece, both my sister and myself were in tears!! How adorable!! I admire her creativity and her initiative to make a CD! We think she's gorgeous!! Everybody that walks into my house has the pleasure of experiencing the little Fairy Song!!
I took a gamble on buying it...and I'm very glad I did!
Thanks to you and Irene...we are very happy!
Thanks once again
S & N S

 

Multi- zone small house Copyright P N Brohier 2005
All rights reserved for the plan and for any amendments. Price for use of draft plan on application.

    

This design is ideal for empty-nesters and offers separate guest accommodation within a small house design
Has multi-entry points and offers multi-zone living options  
Can be easily re-positioned with the lounge-dining to the front or rear of a block
Has a substantial entertaining area for the size of the home 
Can offer separate bathrooms for each bedroom allowing for the master bedroom to have two bathrooms  
Also one bedroom can be turned into a study and the position of the kitchen reversed.

 

Important note: A qualified person did not design this house. Expert advice and further drawings to suit particular needs should be sought after written approval from Peter Brohier is obtained to use the design.

 

  Public speaker

Peter Brohier lawyer, lobbyist, designer  is available for public speaking engagements
He is the person substantially responsible for significant Federal policy change affecting Tasmania.

Peter was awarded a major Australian Hotel Association award for outstanding services to Tasmania and for bringing a National Sea Highway to Tasmania. 

The Commonwealth's uncapped Bass Strait equalisation funding, offered largely as a result of the work of Committees chaired by Peter, has being a major catalyst in achieving improved sea access to Tasmania. It resulted in possibly the most significant tourist boom in Tasmania's history. 

The story Peter tells is one of taking an issue from almost nowhere and putting it on the top of the Federal political agenda of Federal Labor and the Coalition. Peter and his committee were described in the Sydney Morning Herald as the "lobbyists that had beaten the nation's best". Peter's focus is about inspiration, leadership, hot ideas, and current affairs.  

DVD   GOD  ACTUALISATION   pursuit of purpose not happiness  TM    

rough cut - pilot edition - downloadable free of charge  actualisation1.wmv   (wmv file 7.5 MB)      http://maptag.com.au/Movie.wmv      (wmv file 49 MB) 

Peter Brohier, an Australian lawyer of French - Huguenot decent,  discovered whilst lobbying a process he believes can transform lives.  Secularism and secularism with a nominal Christian overlay are life choices accepted by many. There is yet a third option. "God Actualisation" has the capacity to change an ordinary life into a satisfying, worthwhile and extraordinary one.

As an activist and lobbyist, Peter Brohier discovered unique current-day parallels with many experiences of characters described in the Bible. He believes that the primary and fundamental theme of the Bible is contained in these stories. While some may see the importance of differentiating their beliefs through a focus on selected parts of the Bible, Peter believes that there is a strange unity that can only be seen through a focus on these stories after accepting a certain life choice, despite the books of the Bible being written many centuries ago and apart.

The importance of the stories apply regardless of whether one believes these stories are accurate or not. 

There are also some that place the exemplary life of Christ above the message of Christ, replacing for some "statues" by "word pictures" of his life but paying little regard to his message. For instance, in His healing of the sick - some see these type of miracles as something they can also access, by prayer or by believing in Christ. This perspective, though understandable,  places Christ in a prominent role. There is another way of looking at this. From Christ's perspective, he was going on a selfless pursuit of purpose and the miracles were for others, not for himself. These are the same sort of God given miracles that one sees when pursuing a life of purpose.

The concept of the 'tree of life' described in Genesis and the outward focused life seems to me to be reflected in a continuing way through all of scripture. A distinction can be drawn between this concept and the concept of "tree of knowledge of good and evil", also described in Genesis. Many parts of scripture that define "law" and "sin" and the objective of living a sinless life, can be to some the major focus of performance based religion. This focus ought not replace the importance of  the third life choice described in the DVD.

This unique download can be just as relevant to a non - Christian, as it may be to a mainstream or fundamentalist. It is also just as  relevant to those just starting out or holding major leadership roles. This DVD can have universal relevance to every socio-economic group. It describes a process, not a belief. This DVD allows for many varied views of biblical interpretation once the unique theme of the bible in understood. 

IMPORTANT: Individual experiences of following all or any of the processes outlined in this DVD or download will vary widely and is a matter that is left solely between the individual and god.  

Peter Brohier's experience is partially outlined in the National Sea Highway page linked at the top of this page and the associated submission to the Senate enquiry into the establishment of an AFL team (see link on the National Sea Highway page).  

DVD diagrams and download:  copyright 2007 PN Brohier all rights reserved actualisation1.wmv

 

The Queen's Christmas Message 2008 may also be relevant: 

She said,  

"In such times as these we can all learn something from the past. We might begin to see things in a new perspective. And certainly, we begin to ask ourselves where it is that we can find lasting happiness.

Over the years those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives; the kind of people who are generous with their talents or their time.

There are those who use their prosperity or good fortune for the benefit of others whether they number among the great philanthropists or are people who, with whatever they have, simply have a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves.

What they offer comes in the form of what can easily be recognised as service to the nation or service to the wider community.

As often as not however, their unselfishness is a simply taken for granted part of the life of their family or neighbourhood.

They tend to have some sense that life itself is full of blessings, and is a precious gift for which we should be thankful.

When life seems hard the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.

I think we have a huge amount to learn from individuals such as these. And what I believe many of us share with them is a source of strength and peace of mind in our families and friends."

 

Her Majesty The Queen
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA 

12th January 2009

Your Majesty,

 

I am an Australian lawyer. Also, an activist and pro bono lobbyist for the rights of Tasmanians, residents of a former British penal colony, to be connected by an equitable sea link to mainland Australia. Reuters 15th May 2008 “Australia islanders say they are modern convicts”.

 

Your Christmas message seemed very different this year and contained a fundamental truth. Through my lobbying, I have been fortunate to also understand this truth as being the very essence of Christianity.

 

It is my belief that the recorded experience of many of the Old and New Testament characters can strangely be very similar to the current experience of those engaged in a lifetime of practical application of this truth. This is especially so when such application is aimed at influencing the political process. This may be why the biblical stories continue to be so relevant over the centuries.

 

Unfortunately, the “truth”, that we seem to mutually understand, can without application, be meaningless to many. It is said that, “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”, John 1.1. Perhaps the “Word” is really the “truth” that you summarised so well. When applied, it seems far more important, in a practical sense, than even the often-recited creeds that can sometimes divide us.

 

As head of the Anglican Church, perhaps your excellent summary can be read to your worldwide congregation, in the context of explaining a remarkable unity connecting many biblical stories, and the emphasis of this years Christmas message be continued over subsequent ones, DV.

 

My web site www.maptag.com.au  has a link to a downloadable file called “pursuit of purpose, not happiness”.  It is not a professional production.

 

Thank you for your Christmas message this year. It was the best, ever.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Peter Brohier

 

143 Kooyong Road

Nth Caulfield VIC

Victoria Australia

 

Ph 03 95328818

Mob 0415 942 314

 

CC Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of Australia

     

      The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister of Australia

Click on the following images before viewing the download and print. You can refer to these when viewing the download.    

                 

 

   CHESSMOCRACY  TM - a board game of democratic power and politics

 

including enlarged board made of wooden blocks and 60 chess pieces


A game of power and politics based on the same rules as chess. Can also be created by using two sets of chess men.

The same rules apply for chess apply except there is a need to checkmate "God". 

All moves are the same as for the original comparative chess pieces, as shown below.

The game reflects the inter-relationships of power between the people and institutions in modern day politics.

Boards without chess pieces are available from map tag at A$190 if coins or dice are to be used.

Their are sixty pieces in the set. 

 

30 "Pawns" represent people (a dice with one spot can be used) 

8"Rooks" represent armed forces, religion and sport, media and multi-nationals (a dice with four spots can be used)  

8"Knights" represent foreign countries, key families, corporations, consumerism, non-government agencies (a dice with two spots can be used) 

8"Bishops" represent public service or policy, international treaties, international bankers, polititans (a dice with three spots can be used) 

4" Queens" represents law and lobbyists (a dice with five spots can be used) 

2" Kings" represents God   (a dice with six spots can be used)   

 

Copyright P N Brohier  June 2008

All rights reserved 

 

       

 

     

  OPINION PAGE 

 

SPECIAL INTEREST 

Likely to be of interest to those involved in high-level strategic decision making. This section contains ideas created by Peter Brohier, an Australian lawyer and lobbyist. T

Caulfield Racecourse Reserve racecourse1.wmv click here for a preview   

Racecourse is crown land designated for racing , recreation and a public park. The perimeter fence should be replaced by open railings so the reserve is visible as a park and a plan developed to use it as such concurrently with racing.     See evidence given to a public enquiry by Peter  Brohier on the 13th February 2008 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publicland/transcripts.html

 

Caulfield Racecourse is established on crown land. It is said to be set aside for three purposes, racing, and a public park and for public recreation. This $2 billion Reserve can be used more effectively to achieve a far greater use. The recent MRC plans go some way, but can go much further and be directed more substantially to meet all three purposes. The Reserve is on the edge of a major activity centre at the best transport hub in south - eastern Melbourne. At its doorstep is Monash University. It will be at the end of the proposed Eddington tunnel. The $2 billion reserve can be opened up to significant public visibility from the south and east within weeks by removal of a corrugated iron fence and its replacement by open railing fence, similar to that on the reserve's northern side. The Reserve can become a regional sporting centre, saving duplication of community facilities required to be offered by three nearby councils, any proposed new racecourse grandstand facilities can possibly be built to be co-used with swimming and other basketball or ball game activities. Operating revenues should be higher for racing and other activities than at most other locations. The proposed $37 million aquatic centre can be established on the site. These facilities can make the Monash and MRC proposed developments even more viable, and revenue from commercial activities conducted on the Reserve and in the grandstands can be shared and equalised between the three uses. Monash can possibly introduce equine studies in conjunction with the racing facilities. The Reserve can be shown off by floral embankments, tan tracks and boardwalks and revenue generated by the reserve can be put back into its development of a park around the two existing lakes. Co-use of the reserve can is easily established. A management team comprising the trustees of the reserve is already in place and the vision for a joint use facility, given a long time ago, in the crown grant can be established. A magnificent multi-use park can be a real asset. A second oval co-sharing existing changing facilities can be established at the level crossing end of the Reserve. Better use of the park between the railway line and the Dandenong Road can occur further benefiting Monash. The State Government can announce the greatest regional and sporting hub without having to fund it! This proposal can also is established on an interstate inter-capital link see National Sea Highway proposals. This revised use seems to be entirely consistent with three original purposes of the Crown land grant.

 

 

See interim findings of a Victorian Legislative Council committee reviewing the use of crown lands  http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publicland/default.htm

Queen Victoria Market

The market should redeveloped by the Victorian Government to enjoy lighting and heating while retaining its existing character as Melbourne's foremost market. 

 

Bass Strait - linking Victoria and Tasmania    strait1.wmv  click here for a preview

The full option of a sea based national Highway should be put in place by the Federal Government. See the National Sea Highway link at the top of this page.. 

 
VICTORIANS ARE ENTIRELY JUSTIFIED IN HAVING A MULTI - BILLION DOLLAR THIRD INTERSTATE, INTER-CAPITAL TRANSPORT CORRIDOR PAID FOR UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S "AUSLINK" INCLUDING MELBOURNE'S FULL CONNECTING RING ROAD and RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE (see plan below)
 
 
 Peter Brohier described by Premier Lennon as the person most responsible for the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme introduced in 1996 by the Australian Government said today:
 
"The Federal Government would be entirely justified in giving the people of Victoria a third intercapital city link starting almost overnight. He went on to say:
 

1.    The Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme is not delivering equitable and comprehensive “bitumen cost” equivalence for sea travel, the original intention of the Scheme. Canberra needs to act to deliver that outcome. The focus on moving the shell of cars should be balanced by a focus on also moving all the people in them, and offering a "bus fare", equivalent to travelling a similar distance Melbourne-Albury.

 

2.    With billions of dollars going into every other interstate linkage, fair application by Canberra of existing uncapped federal schemes will offer Victoria its third interstate, inter-capital, federally funded transport corridor. It will allow for proper connections between Melbourne's other interstate corridors, upgrade of the rail network to Stony Point, Station Pier and Webb Dock and allow for recognition of existing parts of these connecting links as primary inter-capital links. It will justify the link Doncaster to Greensborough. It will connect with a suggested east-west link across the State, including a transport link across the Port Phillip heads and offer perhaps Melbourne's new icon, a bridge like the Verazzano Narrows Bridge as in New York. This can rival Sydney's harbour bridge and complete the full ring road around Melbourne, reversing traffic flows without leaving taxpayers to compensate existing road operators. It will increase the amenity of living in Victoria by low-cost, all year, consistently priced, surface access using ferries to and from Tasmania. It will allow for southbound freight equalisation of Victorian produced consumables to a developing and close interstate market, increase the flow of people both ways through Victoria on proper and justified transport corridors and increase and spread Victoria's and Tasmania's population as quickly as a new land based highway would. It will allow for many more travellers to a combined destination of two southern states. As expected from 1996, the impact of this proposal would be that demand curves for many industries would move outward instead of a movement along just one existing curve. It will allow equitable transport links consistent with Adelaide's treatment under AusLink. It will allow for efficient use of existing federal funding for this route and population in Tasmania to support a Tasmanian AFL team. 

  

3.    Also, under the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES), Victorian suppliers do not enjoy the same "free trade" as Australia advocates internationally. Northbound consumables are equalised but the same goods sent southbound are not. This unfair scheme, however well intentioned some decades ago, is out of date and denies Victorian producers fair access to a whole state and therefore adversely impacts on the price of consumables in Tasmania.

 

4.    Both schemes do not offer the same equality as interstate highways offer to residents of all other states. The cost of moving goods, people and vehicles by sea should be generally cheaper than by land.

 

5.    The TFES even excludes international exports crossing northbound to Victoria and therefore limits the use of world-class "state of the art " processing plants in Northern Tasmania thereby reducing jobs and population in Tasmania and also unjustifiably limiting the amount of freight through Victoria's ports.    

 

6.    The Auslink national transport system leaves one significant gap in Australia's said to be “integrated” inter-capital interstate transport grid, whilst Canberra's Bass Strait “equalisation” schemes do not deliver Auslink equivalence or comprehensive equalisation. Tasmania's only surface link and Victoria's entitlement to a third interstate inter-capital route needs Canberra's full implementation. Political recognition of Bass Strait as “part of the National Highway” has been in place for over a decade. Un-skewed transport opportunities, as are offered on the Hume Highway and the parallel rail link, should be made available between Melbourne and Hobart, via Northern Tasmania. The link should equalise cost disadvantages between states for people, vehicles and all freight and allow every state to fairly compete with each other, having equal air and surface linkages.

 

7.    The solution is simple, very affordable and can be delivered in weeks using uncapped federal funding, existing capacity, and fair targeting of existing federal equalisation, cost disadvantage between states and National Highway policies. Implementation by Canberra of comprehensive equalisation, under Auslink, will eliminate fear of contravention of WTO obligations for exports. It will also allow suppliers and retailers of consumables in both Victoria and Tasmania to be compensated for any dislocation through increased interstate competition by offering them almost immediate access to a larger market of visitors and residents and fair trade policies.

 

8.    The plan can be implemented in stages under Auslink federal funding mechanisms, including linkages described in the attached map. Canberra should begin by equalising the cost of people in cars and foot passengers using existing levels of funding already obtained by us. "

 

 

Prime Minister Howard described Bass Strait as the most serious impediment to the growth of population, investment and jobs for Tasmania. 

 

.

 

This proposed transport plan should be funded by the Federal Government using Auslink funding but such funding should be separate from existing Auslink priorities. Sea connections were excluded from Auslink but road and rail connections to the sea links should now form part of a national integrated transport system.

   

. 

 

 A Major Roads Tree Policy  trees1.wmv click here for a preview 

The cheapest way to change is municipality is to plant a tree canopy over major roads. This should be regarded as the front window of a municipality and be council's responsibility as it were a park. It will disguise development whilst minimising the cost to ratepayers  to only major roads. 

The under-utilised area over many of Melbourne’s main roads should be seen as a park and the responsibility of municipal councils. These roads should be planted with London Plane trees, the most widely used street tree in the world. The example of this is the municipality of Stonington. These roads should be treated as the “front window” of municipalities and should be “dressed” properly. The canopy will hide greater and greater development for three months of the year, be safer and less destructive than natives, keep damage to existing infrastructure to a minimum, is capable of withstanding up to 10 electric wires through each tree. We understand this propsal would cause no more destruction to underground infrstructure that many other trees.We understand that may pipes have existed under plane trees for over 9 decades. It will green Melbourne and continue the boulevards that Melbourne is well noted for and encourage pedestrian traffic to use roads. If a council, say, has responsibility for about $47 billion in the value of properties under their control, the canopy may cost about $1m a year, for capital cost and for maintenance over a life of a tree of say 75 years. This cost seems highly immaterial when compared with the benefits. By focussing on major roads only, this will be possibly the cheapest way of changing the appearance of a municipality and allowing all residents who live on minor or major roads the opportunity of taking advantage of this initiative. Many visitors also just see the major roads and judge a municipality only by the appearance of these roads. The proposal seems likely to add to the value of all properties and fits well with the community demand for greener suburbs. It will allow flexibility in the type of trees established on minor roads and allow for as maintenance requiring an initial cost of say $600 a tree, pruning twice in 10 years of say $200 and once a year pruning of say $100 for each tree thereafter. 

 

 

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/council/publicland/transcripts.html

Melbourne Airport -the case for a tram link  tullamarine1.wmv  click here for a preview 

 It will allow for a new market of budget travellers by offering a slower service for those who have time and can be offered on the regular metropolitan ticket. The cost of connecting Airport West to Melbourne Airport will be minimal over any rail connection. It would be expected to cater for a new market of travellers without impacting significantly upon existing stakeholders.  

 

This will allow those that wish to trade off time for a lower cost to possibly access Melbourne Airport on a metropolitan ticket. The proposal should be of interest to airport proprietors and is designed to minimise any adverse impact on those offering airport car parking, taxis, a fast bus and any future higher cost fast train link that may be established over time. It will however offer an ongoing and very real link that can, as with Melbourne’s existing trams, withstand the future introduction of faster links in the future. The existing tram link between Melbourne to the shopping centre at Airport West can be extended to Melbourne Airport by a new tram link along the centre of the highway. It will be relatively cheap to construct and cater for a new market of travellers that increasingly choose to fly rather than take buses, trains or cars interstate. As the new double deck planes are introduced and Melbourne’s population ages, this market seems likely to expand. The general population can also use the link to shopping centres at the airport. It will also encourage greater use of the metropolitan transport network without political opposition. Larger trams may be introduced over time to cater for luggage however luggage may be minimised by airline policies, over time. A faster rail can also be introduced but it would be expected that its pricing would need to recover a much larger capital cost. It will cater mainly for travellers preferring speed to lower travel costs. No major transport facility should remain unconnected to a co-ordinated public transport grid, and this includes Melbourne’s airport. Existing public transport connections using rail and bus connections do not meet this test. 

See evidence given to a public enquiry by Peter  Brohier on the 13th February 2008 

Public interest lobby pil.wmv

The nation could assist the democratic process by funding a public interest think tank and lobby . Ideas could be submitted by email and if enough support they could be  analysed by a team of experts and their findings published on the internet. A team of lobbyists would then advance the views to Government who may or may not take up the initiative. Ideas would be well thought out and generated with transparency and care in the public arena. The for and against arguments will become plain. 

 

       

 

National Employment Committee   |   National Sea Highway Committee

 

Page and links, and all associated material, including associated videos, are written, performed, authorised and printed by 

Peter Brohier, 143 Kooyong Road Nth. Caulfield VIC 3161 Australia

Supported by:

 

Website Design by: AM Websites