We should all take heed. 

Of course it's common for contentious developers to be talking up the local benefits of their projects, but the reality often falls very short of their claims and promises. 

What's to stop such a self-contained enterprise being on-sold to Chinese interests who send their students here via prepaid packages, with even less benefits filtering back to our community? 

What will our lovely valley be left with, but a lot of incessant air noise pollution and irritation, affecting both our health and real estate prices? 

We, as are many others, were attracted here by the calm, friendly tranquillity and beauty of the Bega Valley.

A flight school as proposed could so easily destroy all that we value here. Where's the petition?

Michaela Samman

Bemboka

To all citizens of our beautiful valley, it is time to be concerned, be very concerned. 

Most of us living here do so because despite the practicalities of living in big cities, we prefer a quiet semi-rural life. 

Make no mistake, this will be destroyed if the flight training scheme proposed goes ahead. 

Norm Boyle claims that students will only spend 40 hours in the air during their three month course - but with 360 students enrolled that means 160 hours of air time every day.

During an eight-hour day, there will be an average of 20 aircraft in the sky all the time. 

Can you just imagine the noise level?

It will be appalling. 

Aircraft noise travels for tens of kilometres - there won't be a single peaceful spot in the whole valley.

A very small number of people would profit from this proposed flight training scheme, but for the rest of us our lives will be made intolerable. 

Now is the time for council to confound those who say that the council is in favour of development at all costs by refusing permission for this disaster. 

No lengthy discussion is needed - it is simply a matter of council caring more about the welfare of citizens than they care for the supposed glamour of growth.

For my part, we moved here eight years ago and put all of our superannuation savings into this district. 

If this goes ahead, we will be pulling up stumps and leaving. 

We would hate to do that - as it stands, the Bega Valley is the jewel of Australia. 

Please councillors, keep it that way.

Paul Scherek

Candelo

I would just like to congratulate the members of council, both of recent times and currently. 

I have never in my life come across a series of councillors who have such avid determination to negatively impact one section of their community. 

Their dedication, perseverance and persistence with this intent could be legendary.

Yes, once again, the residents of Wolumla, especially in the vicinity of Frogs Hollow, are to be the target group for the next industrial brainwave. 

And where is our local voice protecting our lifestyle? 

Seemingly fully behind those introducing the next axe through our rural existence. 

The crematorium? Had to be in Wolumla because…? 

The Central Waste Facility? Had to be in Wolumla as it’s the centre of the shire and the affected residents could just be the sacrificial lambs for the benefit of the rest. 

Oh, hang on a minute. Let’s renege on our original agreement of the CWF being a standalone project and throw in the NBN! 

Yes, NBN satellite dishes certainly fit in well with the rural landscape and acreage of refuse. 

Very attractive, really. 

And, as the residents already have to put up with the CWF, what does it really matter? 

Did I forget to mention that, after all was said and done, the CWF applicants “forgot” to factor in waste management on a public holiday timetable, so that local residents are now subjected to the CWF operating not just on weekends but  public holidays as well? 

Who needs a pleasant Christmas if you’re not in the parts of the Bega Shire that matter?

Upgrade Merimbula airport? 

Yes, but make sure those massive trucks come the back way through Wolumla because we don’t want the residents being impacted by noise so early in the morning.

But the latest brainwave is the use of Frogs Hollow airport as a training ground for Chinese student pilots. 

Yes, you read correctly. 

Ten squadrons of 36 students each, multiplied by 40 hours in flight training time, per intake. 

I’d like to say words fail me – however, apparently they don’t! 

What fails me is the understanding of any of our councillors who continue to wreak havoc with a targeted slice of their community under the guise of “improvement” and “progress”.

As if we haven’t had enough already! 

Once again, everything we hold dear is threatened. 

How many times must you target us before it’s sufficient?

Maybe there’s just more land in Wolumla than there is in China? 

I mean, why else would they have to come here to learn to fly planes? 

Luckily though, Wolumla is now globally known as the place to put all the bits nobody else wants! 

Yes, councillors – for this to even be considered by you, consistency is certainly your strong point!

Beth Smith

Wolumla