Rubbish heaped on council
Jacqueline Jaffrey,
Eden
Jacqueline Jaffrey,
Eden
Jacqueline Jaffrey,
Eden
Jacqueline Jaffrey,
Eden
Eden
Eden
Eden
I agree wholeheartedly with Pat Neville's letter in The Magnet, dated August 16.
Bega Valley Council is one of the few councils left that makes no effort to reduce the dumping of wastes in our wonderful local bush land by providing at least one collection a year where local residents can put out large items such as fridges, televisions, washing machines and furniture.
With no such service and high tip fees, it is hardly surprising that so much of this ends up in our state forests.
As a regular bushwalker, it horrifies me to see the amount of junk from cars to televisions that are simply dumped throughout this area.
The bush areas behind the Eden Golf Course and around the Broadwater Road bushland are particularly affected by this problem.
Ratepayers would be inclined to view the council's activities far more positively if this small step could be taken to protect our state forests and to encourage more responsible disposal of large goods.
Having lived in other areas where such services are available, I have found that these types of service encourage recycling.
I often found that goods put out for collection were grabbed by those who saw a use for them. Surely, this is an example of a win-win situation for our community.
I would be interested to hear what our candidates for the upcoming council election think about this issue.
Back door rate rise?
Disgruntled rural pensioner, (Name withheld)
I would like to know what your reader’s think of the Bega Valley Shire Council’s new garbage rate increase for the 2000 “chosen” rural dwellers.
For a secondary fortnightly recycling garbage service – extra cost $370pa.
How does this new rate increase affect pensioners and low income earners, especially those who have no need whatsoever for a secondary garbage service?
Those who produce no un-compostable garbage and who, when they did have plastic or glass bottles to dispose of them, were happy to use the recycle depots.
(All of which have now been closed).
After pensioner concessions, this new rate charge represents in real terms, an increase of almost 45 per cent on previous rates and will cost me over a dollar a day for a service I do not need.
Also for a single pensioner this annual rate increase represents a week’s income (loss).
How were the 2000 chosen, and why were they not consulted?
The existing garbage and recycling system was working well enough.
Is this just another revenue raising scheme dreamt up by a salaried bureaucrat who has no idea of how many of the Shires rate payers live?
Are there any of your readers who agree with me on this matter?
Tourism and koalas
Peter Watson, Kiah
“Plans to log Tanja Forest have been deferred while Forests NSW decides how to respond to the discovery of a small koala population there. These animals are possibly the last of the once abundant Bega Valley koalas.” Harriett Swift.
We have to save them!
Think of the eco-tourism that could result from this find.
Passengers from cruise-liners could be taken to see them.
Backpackers, interstate visitors, even my family would all go and see them.
The sapphire coast needs a ‘re-make’ – people are working less and there needs to be a total re-assessment of our jobs in this region.
This is from a NSW government document on Tourism:
“Visitors and Population:
On present forecasts, annual visitor growth rates through to 2020 will
continue to outstrip resident population growth, thus increasing
pressure on and demand for goods, services and infrastructure by
non-residents at the State, regional and local level. This highlights
the need for all levels of government to integrate tourism
considerations into their medium to long-term planning."
Towards 2020 – New South Wales Tourism Masterplan
Tourism, and retraining people to become National Parks & Wildlife officers are the obvious way forward.
Council fees – simply revenue raising
Elvie Preo, Bega
I urge all ratepayers to read their rates notice very carefully as there may be discrepancies that you may not be aware of.
Believe it or not some people do actually pay bills without scrutinising them!
On perusing my notice this week I noticed that I have been charged for domestic waste organics.
As we don’t have a green bin (and don’t want one) I checked with friends and neighbours to discover I am not the only one who has been charged.
One neighbour phoned council and was told that it is the new contractor’s fault.
As council is responsible for supplying these bins and providing the contractor with a list of where service is required this is surely incorrect and nothing more than buck passing.
I have also been charged an extra 50 per cent for OSM (onsite sewer management) without any prior notice.
As I have a bio-septic system which is thoroughly inspected and checked every three months by the contractor – he does a great job and I am happy to pay for the service – I feel that to have someone from council come and glance at my sprinklers every 5 years for a fee is an unnecessary impost in the first place.
To have that fee increased by 50 per cent is simply revenue raising.
I can understand the need for council to check ordinary septic systems occasionally, but anyone who has gone to the expense of installing a bio-septic is obviously aware of the effects of a faulty system on the environment.
I intend to deduct these charges from my first instalment.
Vote ‘YES’ to Save Pambula Hospital on September 8
Sharon Tapscott, President, Save Our Hospital Inc.
I write to you in my capacity as the President of Save Our Hospital Inc.
On (council) election day, September 8 a poll will be conducted.
This poll is to gauge support for the retention of Pambula Hospital, in its current form, for at least the next five years.
Everyone in this community is well aware that there has been a battle on to save our hospital over the last four years.
In this time we have heard many promises but in reality the downgrading of the hospital has continued unabated.
We have completely lost our Maternity and our Emergency Department (ED) has been cut back so there are no doctors attending the hospital between 10pm and 7am.
The commitment to the remainder of the ED is under threat.
It is abundantly clear to all that live in the southern end of the shire that we cannot endure any more cutbacks to our health service in this region.
There is too much suffering already endured by families because of the short sighted decisions made by faceless bureaucrats in the past.
We have an opportunity to exercise our democratic right to be heard on this issue as we vote at the Shire Council Elections on September 8.
Our governments, both State and Federal, are prepared to do the right thing and make commitments to the long term viability of the Hospital but they face opposition from the bureaucrats.
We can support their endeavours by voting ‘YES’ to Keeping Pambula Hospital and giving them the mandate they need to keep fighting on our behalf.
The battle is not over by a long shot and we must remain vigilant.
If this area is to expand and grow we cannot lose our hospital in any shape of form, it must be kept open 24/7, but most importantly it must remain functional.
Simply stated, it must remain a "HOSPITAL".
This is another opportunity to have your say.
Support those who have supported you
Vote ‘YES’.