LLS election woes
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I read with interest the story regarding the recent Local Land Services (LLS) election of board members (BDN, 21/3).
Apparently, the South Eastern District (which includes Bega) attracted one of the lowest voter registrations, and no local candidates were successful in their nominations for the new LLS board.
It is disappointing that so few local landholders registered to vote.
However, I did make the effort, but imagine my dismay when I discovered that the election had been held and I never received any ballot papers!
I rang the Bega LLS office and the very helpful lady on the phone was able to confirm that I was in fact registered, but could not offer any explanation why I had not received the ballot papers.
I expressed concern that perhaps other local voters had similarly missed out.
She apologised profusely and forwarded my inquiry to the manager.
That was over a week ago and I have received no response.
If this is an example of the service we can expect from the new LLS it does not bode well for the shire.
Otto Halupka
Wandella
Unacceptable coverage
Firstly, congratulations to the BDN for raising the issue of Telstra coverage in Tathra (21/3).
Hopefully sufficient media coverage might get some positive action to fix this problem.
I was appalled to read that Telstra “confirmed the mobile network was as expected”, that just confirms their acceptance that a second-rate service is acceptable.
It’s not.
All the businesses in Tathra are suffering every day because of the poor or non-existent mobile coverage.
I am aware of many business people who visit the area regularly and would prefer to stay in Tathra, but have been forced to stay in Merimbula because of their need to have reliable mobile and mobile broadband coverage in order to do their job.
This not only affects the accommodation providers but restaurants, clubs, takeaway shops and others.
This will become an even greater issue as contractors, designers, engineers and so on come into the area to build the new regional hospital.
I attended the meeting at the surf club you refer to in your article and was appalled at how unprepared Mr Taylor was to deal with questions.
He did not have any answers at all, only questions, mistook the bowling club for the RSL, asked the community where they would like to place the transmitter (we want it where it is most effective and surely Telstra is best placed to advise that) and told us that there was no budget to fix any problems in Tathra because he had to spend his budget in Batemans Bay.
They apparently get so many visitors during the holidays it was causing black spots.
Hey Mr Taylor we have the problem 24/7/365 not just in the holidays and we get lots of visitors as well!
Your article mentions that Telstra Country Wide personnel and engineers will conduct further investigations to “understand their customers’ needs”.
What a waste of resources, the needs should be well understood by now - just get on with fixing it.
Stop hiding behind engineers surveys that give you the answer you want and get on with an appropriate solution.
Ian Murray
Tathra
Telco blackspots
The Federal Government’s $100million program to boost mobile coverage in regional and rural Australia is now underway.
While the program won’t stop all of us from having to stand on car roofs or hang out of trees to get a signal, this fresh investment is a welcome step.
On offer is $80million toward building new mobile towers in areas with poor coverage, with a $20million component for blackspots in areas prone to natural disasters or subject to seasonal demand.
It’s expected that the telcos will match the government’s funding for a total of $200million.
Although consultation on the program design closed in February, the Department of Communications still wants to hear from communities to help identify areas in need.
It is important to remember that infrastructure will need to be commercially sustainable in order to get the green light so the most remote areas probably don’t have the best chance.
At a forum hosted by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) in February, Parliamentary Secretary for Communications Paul Fletcher reported that 800 locations had already been reported.
Clearly with such massive demand for better coverage in the bush, not everyone is going to have their wish list met.
But there are ways for rural communities to prepare good cases for any future funding opportunities.
The important thing is that Optus, Telstra and Vodafone are all saying they welcome greater involvement from communities.
Their tips are:
*Communities need to show the value of investment in their area.
*Local government is best placed to coordinate the effort and make the case.
*Consult widely in the community and get everyone on board so that the providers feel confident that the position of a new tower, for example, is going to be accepted and welcomed by locals.
*Investigate in-kind contributions, such as a local government giving access to services and land, because they are as valuable as direct funding and can have a big influence.
*Provide a ready-made plan for suggested sites, streamlined planning permission and land access.
In the meantime, contact the Department of Communications to let them know your area needs better mobile coverage, or reach for the phone and call your local council to have them put mobile coverage on their agenda – if you can get reception that is.
If you have an area you’d like included on the list of areas in need, locations can be reported via mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au or through the Department hotline 1800 113 486.
The Department suggests stating simply and concisely the location of the blackspot or poor coverage area and says you get no advantage from multiple or lengthy submissions.
Teresa Corbin
ACCAN CEO
Dog days in Tathra
I have a dog which my husband and I walk on the beach and the walking track adjacent, daily.
My small mongrel dog has been attacked severely twice (in Kalaru, not Tathra).
It has cost us around $1000 in vet's fees.
He has since become understandably neurotic when he sees another dog.
So we now walk in the "dogs on leash" areas of Tathra.
My gripe is dog's off leash in these areas.
Their owners call out "They're friendly! It's OK!"
Well, it's not OK to us or our dog.
We now go to great lengths to avoid these people and their dogs - walking in the dunes, picking our dog up, etc.
I can't count the number of near misses on the beach where dogs have come flying at us from 50 to 100 metres away, ignoring their owner’s calls, attacking us as well as our dog.
Apparently a frightened dog emits pheromones. Other dogs pick up on this and attack.
I don't have a problem with dogs on the beach, but I would appreciate the ability to exercise our dog in a safe environment.
Margo Lawler
Kalaru
Engagement needed
The Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) notes the Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) has offered a submission to the Division of Local Government in response to the final reports of the Independent Local Government Review Panel and Local Government Acts Taskforce.
The BVSRRA also notes the BVSC made no effort to consult with residents or ratepayers regarding the reports and its submission, notwithstanding a specific request for it to do so by the Division of Local Government.
The BVSRRA itself was invited by the Division of Local Government to make a submission.
However, given its limited resources, it offered comments only on those matters where it was in disagreement with the reports or the submission made by BVSC, or where it wished to raise a specific matter not canvassed by either party.
In particular the BVSRRA called on the Division of Local Government to:
*Confirm no attempt will be made to amend or abolish the current Pensioner Concession Discount system;
*Ensure any increases in fees/charges applicable to statutory approvals and inspections be limited to business customers and subject to independent oversight;
*Remove all GIPA application fees and charges for applications made by non-business residents and ratepayers, as promised by the government in the lead-up to the last state election;
*Reject proposals to increase the remuneration for elected councillors, including mayors, as such increases simply represent a further unnecessary financial burden on residents/ratepayers;
*Adopt and promulgate best practice standards for the making of regulations, in accordance with the recommendations of COAG (Council Of Australian Governments) in October, 2007;
*Amend current regulatory guidelines dealing with the use of “casting votes” by elected mayors in meetings of council, so as to require the exercise of any such casting vote in support of the retention of the status quo; and
*Pursue the necessary legislative changes required to limit the number of consecutive terms an elected councillor can serve to two terms.
Finally, the BVSSRA has also fully supported recommendation 3.2.2 of the Local Government Acts Taskforce advocating a stronger focus by councils on genuine community engagement.
John Richardson
BVSRRA secretary