Valuable time
wasted
How much longer are we to endure endless misrepresentation to the Bega Valley Shire Council as witnessed from objectors to the passing of the development application in respect to the wood waste pellet plant installed at the Eden chip mill?
Surely objectors do not believe they can dupe shire councillors at every turn.
Claims such as the Eden chip mill being set up to process only 5000 tonnes of wood per year are arrogant nonsense.
On that basis, a multi-million investment in 1970 would have loaded its first export shipment in 1978.
For the record, the official woodchip export licence volume for 1970 and the years following was 600,000 tonnes per year.
Why is the council’s valuable time being wasted by this mindless dribble approach?
Our councillors are well aware that many ratepayers, including a considerable number of the objectors, use hardwood timber for domestic heating. As power prices rise that usage is likely to also rise.
Good quality dry fuel is the key to efficient wood fires and heaters.
Wood pellets are good quality dry fuel.
Vince Phillips
Wolumla
Lies in advertising
The ad that appeared in the BDN last Friday (3/2) opposing the approval of the pilot pellet plant in Eden stated that the pellets would be used to generate electricity.
This is a blatant lie.
The people who placed the advertisement are fully aware that it is simply not economically viable to use pellets made from residue from native forests to generate electricity.
The other ongoing lie they also promote is that forests are being destroyed.
This is simply emotive rubbish, or if you like, another lie.
All forest areas that are selectively harvested are regenerated - and harvested again in the future as part of the responsible forest management regime in place in the South East.
But why let the truth get in the way of a good story?
David Evelyn
Eden
Jewel in the crown
I attended the committee meeting for the redevelopment of Littleton Gardens on Tuesday night.
It was pleasing to see keen interest in the design put together by Ted Dexter, who is doing a great job of engaging our community and bringing his extensive expertise in good urban and open space design.
Bega needs to draw on experience like this if it has any chance of making the central area of our town a space where locals and tourists are attracted to town to relax, shop and recreate.
Public open space can be the jewel in the crown for Bega, as it is in successful country towns and many cities around the world.
At the meeting an option was presented to the committee with car parking along the east side of Littleton Gardens.
After all present had input, the committee clearly recommended to the council that these car parks were not essential and were a poor design option both in terms of safety for our community, especially children, and in terms of the reduced amenity of having cars parked directly abutting people using this important public space.
I look forward to this design being the council’s adopted design that will go on public exhibition for further comment in the coming months.
Rod Logan
Verona
NIMBY factor
Well done to Dave Evelyn (Eden Magnet 2/2) in plainly pointing out the “NIMBY” factor in the debate regarding the wind farm proposal.
If there are valid concerns such as the impact on whales, bats and birds, or marine creatures in general, then those concerns should be taken into account.
According to what I have read, sonar and watercraft strike pose a greater risk to sea creatures, most notably the link between sonar and whales stranding.
Nobody can guarantee a sea eagle or any flying animal will not meet its end with a turbine, one can only hope they are a bit smarter and adjust.
Habitat loss, development, planes, predators, depleted food resources, and climate change also pose risks.
It is a pity that a very vocal and quite polished group of people - namely the residents of Twofold Bay - are blind to the bigger picture because “their” picturesque view is being altered.
From what I heard at the meeting on Thursday, it doesn’t sound like they’re slumming it.
As was said by one of the spokesmen, millions have been poured into these homes.
Thank your lucky stars that you live in such a beautiful area.
What are the thoughts of the townspeople?
Given the fact there is a company willing to invest $20million to provide a community with clean, renewable energy, as well as a handing over a bonus cheque of $11,600 per year, I find analogies with the gift horse not the Trojan horse trotted out by a select few.
This is a one-off opportunity for the community of Eden to showcase their support for a clean energy future, while reaping the benefits, (boutique businesses, eateries, entertainment, tourism, home buyers...population and economic growth), which will inevitably be the consequence of embracing this 21st century vision.
Dona Eaton
Lochiel
Online protection
Every parent wants to protect their children from harm.
It is made all the more challenging with our children exposed to the internet.
While the internet has transformed our lives, there are potential risks and dangers.
These include inappropriate content, predators, online bullying, and theft and privacy risks.
An estimated 2.2 million Australian children actively engage online via computers, game consoles and mobile devices like smart phones.
Many parents feel they are ill-equipped to protect their children from the dangers of using the internet and the risks of social media.
Recognising this, the Coalition has established an Online Safety Working Group to help better equip parents, teachers and other carers to do this.
The working group will consult with key technology, education and cyber-safety stakeholders, and parents to further develop its Online Safety Policy.
It will investigate the roles and responsibilities of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the Australian Federal Police, state police services and internet service providers, and examine evidence of the risks children are exposed to and what measures there are to protect them.
Unlike the Labor government, the Coalition will take a consultative approach – we do not believe in censorship of the internet.
Roundtables and community forums will take place in coming weeks.
Submissions are also called for and I strongly encourage those with a view, or concerns, to make one. More details can be found at www.tonyabbott.com.au.
As the Coalition’s regional education spokesperson, I look forward to working closely with the working group on this important matter.
Senator Fiona Nash
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education
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