A cynic could be forgiven for thinking that this is the protocol under which council operates.

Anybody living near, or driving past, Kiss’s Lagoon in recent weeks will have seen the complete denuding of the riparian vegetation around the lagoon - work undertaken by the Bega Valley Shire Council.

On its website the council says “work is continuing on the rehabilitation of Kiss’s Lagoon and to reduce storm water pollution in the Bega catchment”.

It also says “Through making it accessible to recreation we are encouraging people to interact with and value the local environment”.

These two statements were made by council’s coastal management officer, Kyran Crane.

Does Mr Crane understand that the lagoon is part of the flood plain?

That what he has done is going to make stormwater pollution even worse thanks to the complete loss of stabilising vegetation and the subsequent erosion when the next flood comes.

Does Mr Crane understand that the lagoon WAS accessible to recreation, i.e. motorists and locals alike used the shady rest areas situated around the lagoon?

Does Mr Crane understand that the previous Beautify Bega Committee spent countless voluntary hours planting out the foreshore of the lagoon with non-invasive species?

Does Mr Crane understand the ecology of wetlands?

The use of mature plants to absorb carbon monoxide and noise?

The need for diverse, mature, riparian vegetation for the breeding sites of several of our native wetland bird life?

I don't believe Mr Crane understands any of the above.

Unfortunately for the previously lovely Kisses Lagoon and its aquatic and bird life, it is now a nasty, clear felled, scar of a mark that is about as inviting as a landfill site.

Mr Crane has a boss, where was he/she when he decided on this path of destruction, and why didn't they ask the questions that mattered?

Shame on you Bega Valley Shire Council, where are your principles?

Janelle Thistleton

Bega

Going to Medicare in Bega used to be so easy.

You’d drive up Auckland St, park near the entrance to the Marketplace, walk in, hand over your Medicare card and your doctor’s receipt, and you would receive a printed statement from the computer telling you how much had been put into your account.

In the last month, things have changed.

Now, you have to fill in a form that goes with your receipt somewhere, and a week or so later you receive a letter telling you how much had been put into your account.

How backward is it to go back to forms? And then there’s the cost of posting out your statement.

To make matters worse is that the Federal Government is closing the Medicare office at the Sapphire Marketplace and moving it to Centrelink in Church St.

Anyone who already goes to Centrelink knows just how difficult it is to park anywhere near the place.

So difficult for the elderly and they are the ones who probably use Medicare the most.

So the efficient service is no more – it’s forms and it’s Centrelink and it’s a letter a week or so later.

That’s not progress.

Carman Mataic

Reedy Swamp

The loss of Phillip Hughes has devastated the Australian cricket community including our own in the Bega Valley.

This freak accident has made me tearfully reflect on Philip’s career.

I have never met him personally, however I feel I know him to some extent from what I have seen and heard over the years.

Phillip was a gifted sportsman and had a great talent for amassing runs as a batsman.

He experienced the highs of scoring centuries for Australia.

Phillip was in and out of the national team over the years. 

He had his own style of batting unique only to himself.

It gave him a flair that cricket lovers loved to watch.

Phillip had the respect of his team members and he showed a spark for fun and cheek.

Phillip Hughes showed many characteristics that we can all admire.

Some of these include: develop your natural talents and interests,  be determined and work hard for what you want to achieve, persevere, experience the ups and downs and learn from them, build relationships with people, look for the fun in life, get involved and let your own flair shine.

My thoughts and prayers go to Phillip’s family and to the most unfortunate bowler involved.

John Dedman, president

Bega Angledale Cricket Club