Fair’s fair
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The beach is for all to share!
I have lived all over NSW and never encountered more irresponsible pet owners than here in the Bega Valley.
We are blessed with amazing area, beautiful beaches, bush and parks, and enjoy a great outdoor lifestyle.
We have ample wildlife and wonderful natural areas on the Sapphire Coast.
Most dog owners would love to be able to have the beaches we have to walk their pets.
Tathra has a huge off-lead area right on the beach to run their dogs 24/7.
But no!
They must bring their dogs into public areas, playgrounds and prohibited areas and yes, even our national parks!
We also have dedicated people who try to look after our precious bird life at Mogareeka who are constantly harassed by dogs and their owners.
So pull your head in and think of others, not just yourself!
This is meant to be the Wilderness Coast.
Between the wood chip industry and the cat and dog owners this will soon be called the Wasteland Coast.
Perhaps our local authority could do its job and employ rangers seven days a week like all other councils!
Name and address withheld by request.
Urgent health matter
When I went to Dr Hendy’s Bega office I was most politely received by Dianne and she listened patiently to my issues, for which I thank her.
But later she rang back to say that Dr Hendy’s Queanbeyan office said he was not interested in local health service cancellations, as this was not a federal issue.
But our local health service, and, in my direct experience, health services elsewhere in NSW, TAS, QLD, WA and the NT are now finding it impossible to appoint professional locums to fill urgent shortfalls.
This happened to the Greater Southern Area Health Service locally in February.
Although a qualified former employee (not myself) was standing in their hospital ready to work, by their own request, it took nine days to get the National Crime Check and Working with Children clearances from other government departments, and the paperwork done.
In the eyes of the government we are all paedophiles and criminals until we pay money ($88) to prove otherwise.
This creeping change in attitude of our governments towards us disturbs me.
The federal issue is that health professionals cannot move freely around the nation, and as Dr Hendy’s qualifications are in commerce, one would think he had an interest in efficiency and flexibility and mobility of the workforce.
If so John Howard would be proud of him.
It would be nice to blame Dr Hendy’s side of government for having a vested interest in paralysing the public health system, but I do not think that is the problem.
This is a case of a bureaucratic monster serving itself instead of the citizens.
The second issue I thought was federal is that it seems to me unconstitutional to demand Australian citizens pay the government to release their own information to another department to prove they are not guilty, time after time, in every jurisdiction and every sub-jurisdiction.
A fundamental principle of our nation is “innocent until proven guilty”.
This has made us strong.
But with weak politicians the inexorable bureaucracy will grind us to a standstill, as history shows.
And then someone else will step in to run the show more efficiently for us.
If senior professionals cannot move freely due to stupid repetitive and insulting paperwork, one would say the writing is now on the wall in letters big enough for those of little vision.
One wonders what Dr Hendy is interested in, if local, state, and national matters are not his cup of tea.
But perhaps I have this wrong from being in the bush too long.
His Queanbeyan office is near a nice two-lane highway that runs all the way to a nearby major hospital, packed with everything one could ever want.
Maybe no-one in there has ever needed the urgent assistance of a trained professional in rural or remote Australia.
Dr Tim Metcalf
Brogo
Plenty of space
I thought I would add my comments to all the others about the Woolworths car park.
I am in there almost every day and have been since it opened.
In all that time I have never seen that car park full, with the exception of last Christmas Eve and on that day it was full.
So why are they locking people out? There is plenty of space for everyone.
Even if closing the car park until after 9am is a prelude to paid parking, what is the point of the lock-out?
This is the only car park in Bega, apart from the one at the tennis courts, which allows all-day parking.
Those workers who park there also spend their money in the centre.
The people who like to shop early now just have to drive on past up to Coles, and Coles must be laughing all the way to the bank.
This decision to lock everyone out until after 9am is just sheer stupidity and is hurting everyone.
Carol Atkins
Quaama
Child safety
Every day families with young children visit Tathra Wharf as a tourist attraction.
They fish, have ice-creams, coffees, or simply gaze at the ocean, beach, rocks or people fishing.
Children can be inquisitive, impulsive and lively.
With the best will in the world parents or carers cannot restrain at all times the energetic curiosity of children.
It is time for the BVSC to fence the rest of the wharf for the increased safety of our children.
Elaine Cozens
Tathra
Business growth irony
It was with more than a little irony when I read a recent advertisement in the Bega District News calling for expressions of interest to participate in a council Business Growth Advisory Committee.
I have nothing against the council wishing to encourage local business and industry - God knows the area needs it - but the first thing you need to ensure is that you don't discourage local businesses that are already here and making a quid.
That is exactly what this council has done in the case of Laidley and Ellen Russell's scrap yard.
Ellen and Laidley have been in business in earth moving and scrap metal for 40 years in the Bega Valley.
Like many others in this area I've used their scrap yard to purchase guttering, timber, drums and to offload scrap metal.
When I couldn't afford new items there was always a good chance I could pick up what I needed from the Russells.
But the council in its wisdom has seen fit to end all that.
They are in the process of forcing this couple to close their business because it doesn't meet the council's zoning requirements.
Strange isn't it!
A family business that has been operating successfully fulfilling a community need is being forced out to satisfy zoning laws.
Surely existing businesses should be allowed to continue.
While we are on the subject of irony, it is worth noting this council has provided significant ratepayer funding for local artistic endeavours such as Sculptures on the Edge at Bermagui.
Where do you think many local artists, metalworkers and artisans obtain their raw materials from?
You guessed it - from hardworking people like Ellen and Laidley Russell's scrap yard.
We all want new business and industry in the Bega Valley, but you don't help your cause by forcing good local businesses to close their doors.
That indicates a council more interested in bureaucratic rules and regulations.
Yasmine and Adam Bonner
Brogo