Since I moved to this area 26 years ago I have seen the closure of the Eden abattoirs, the cannery, and most of the logging industry and fishing industry.

Now all we hear is that the tourist industry is going to be our saviour.

I live right next door to the beautiful Nethercote Falls. 

In the last couple of years I have seen a huge increase in the number of tourists visiting the falls, and now they are getting closed.

Not only do the tourists love this place, many locals have been coming here for generations. 

The reason they give for closing the falls is that they are to dangerous, yet they don't close beaches if someone drowns. 

Closing the falls won't stop the risk takers from getting in, it will just stop families with young children and tourists who stay in our caravan parks and motels from enjoying the area. 

How will this be good for our struggling towns and local businesses? 

Michael Cordell

Nethercote