The residents of Kalaru village are  not impressed  by this abandonment of them by refusing to make an honest  attempt to protect the "village atmosphere", which is  a major requirement of the zone 5U (Village). 

Working with the residents of Kalaru in full consultation,  a strong case could have been mounted at the Land and Environment Court.

And it might have been successful.

As it is now,  one wonders if the council sees Kalaru being developed simply as a thoroughfare between Bega and the coast!

We just wanted to say thanks to Tarra Ford for providing us with great service and a can do attitude.

It is nice to see that in a small town, you can still find fair and helpful staff who work hard for their customers.

Well done to all of the team at Tarra Ford.

I am concerned about a recent directive from our Local Health District (LHD), regarding the type of dietary advice that can be given in hospitals and community health centres in the area.

The Southern NSW LHD recently made an unbelievable decision that influences how dietitians are able to practise, with a directive that nutritional advice to clients must not include low carbohydrate diets.

In addition, if doctors in the area want to refer patients to a dietitian in the LHD for low carb advice for weight loss or diabetes – as many have been doing for over 10 years – they will be advised that this is no longer an option. 

This directive from the LHD goes against current science, as well as accepted guidelines for managing Type 2 diabetes.

There is not one diet that suits everyone, and reducing the amount of sugar, bread and pasta eaten is an excellent choice for many people. Benefits can include improved blood sugar levels, more energy, less hunger and weight loss.

I, along with more than 60 scientists, researchers, dietitians and others from around the world, have asked NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner to look into this issue. So far, we have not received a satisfactory response.

I don’t know why this decision was made, but as far as I’m aware, our LHD is the only one in Australia banning dietitians from giving appropriate low carbohydrate advice to patients.

Banning this approach within the LHD defies reason. I believe an inquiry into why the decision was made should be undertaken as a matter of urgency.

After the much publicised “ground breaking ceremony” at Ford Park in June and the story in the paper that construction of the all abilities playground would start in August/September, we are still waiting.

I suspect this story was a political stunt by the Member for Bega so that he could go around beating his chest saying that $50,000 had been contributed by his government.

Three months after the proposed commencement date we do have an improvement though.

One of the two swings that have been missing for over 12 months has been replaced. Perhaps if the government had contributed $100,000 both may have be replaced!!