The use of building materials and styles out of sync with the Australian landscape and climate, and worst of all, the culling of trees that 'get in the way' or drop bark or lift sections of pavement, that for some homeowners and town planners appear to be a nuisance in the hunt for 'low maintenance' above all other value.

It is not necessary to destroy community amenity, i.e. shade bearing trees, in order to repair or replace footpaths. 

If this were the case there would no longer be any street trees in Australian towns and cities. 

The information about the Canning St trees destruction, released a day or two before the destruction is not public consultation. 

The shade trees were an amenity for the community as a whole and not just the residents of Canning St.

Also, It is questionable that tree roots are responsible for cracking pavements. Temperature changes and moisture content changes in the soil could be the major factors. Unfortunately this seems to be bad policy, particularly if as reported, the footpath replacement will not occur until next year. 

So there are two important issues arising, one is the lack of public consultation regarding the destruction of community assets and the other is a seeming lack of intelligent policy regarding township public spaces and street tree amenity. 

The suggested replacements, Chinese pistachio (small to medium tree, if female, drops many berries that could create a slippery walkway) and Blueberry Ash (shrub or small tree, definitely not classified as shade bearing and prefers moist sites) will not replace the destroyed amenity.

It is time to have some serious consideration within Council about these important issues arising.

As the number of citizens able to afford a ticket on the SS Zingel Place continues to plummet each year, it seems somewhat ironic that the vessel’s crew, allegedly employed to look after the welfare of its passengers, continues to grow in both number & cost, while toiling away in five star luxury.

The Bega Valley Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) believes that the council will face its biggest test since being elected when it discovers later this month if it has the character and courage to require council’s bureaucrats to manage within the shire’s means.

The BVSRRA believes that council should cut its coat according to the shire’s cloth & that the elected council should insist that operating expenses be reduced by least $1.6M in the General Fund budget, so as to ensure that expenditure does not exceed forecast Income & avoid the necessity of dipping into reserves & pursuing further borrowings.

For the claim ‘fit for the future’ to mean anything, councillors need to insist that council management must start to value ratepayers’ funds as much as they value their own.

After checking Melbourne prices we decided to buy two single seater recliners and one two-seater recliner. locally. 

We were a bit concerned that the two seater didn't sit equally in the middle and after checking the setting on the floor at Robert Smith's decided to contact Rebecca for an exchange. 

We weren't confident that this would be done but within half an hour of Rebecca receiving our email she was on the phone and agreed to do a full exchange. 

Buy locally. It has benefits.