Missing the obvious
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The Bega Valley Shire Council has recently released a draft climate change strategy and it's a shame the section titled “Biophysical resilience” does not reflect scientific reality or the bleeding obvious.
The strategy suggests “Addressing climate change also involves creating and maintaining long-term, sustainable, ecosystems”.
Of course, prior to the European invasion there were sustainable ecosystems, but community attempts to re-create these ecosystems, by reintroducing locally and regionally extinct native species that maintain forest health, have been bitterly opposed for decades.
The strategy suggests “The Bega Valley Shire prides itself on pristine coastlines and healthy ecosystems that support human health and development, provides habitat for a variety of species and facilitates economic activities”.
Koalas are an indicator of forest health, and the evidence indicates the parameters for their survival are closely associated with those that support human health.
Regrettably, those managing the $4.3million “Koala corridors and core habitat” project - the NSW EPA, OEH and the Forestry Corporation - disagree.
The strategy indicates “To ensure the shire's environment is managed effectively and sustainably over the long term in regards to climate change, council will include climate change projections and impacts in its land use planning program, decision making processes and those projects which target ecological health. Council will also support other agencies' programs as appropriate (eg NSW Office of Environment and Heritage threatened species priority action statement).”
Although it is yet to filter down to a regional level, earlier this year the OEH did release a priority action statement for the key threatening process “bell-miner associated die-back”, but the associated extensive forest die-back, first observed during a short dry spell in 1998, is yet to be acknowledged.
This latter threat is undoubtedly the most significant the Bega Valley Shire faces, and until it is acknowledged and addressed, government claims that it is working for the best interest of the community, and the environment, are hollow.
Robert Bertram
Bermagui
Inadequate response
Losing it on the loose!
That's exactly what I did on my motor cycle after 46 years of accident-free riding.
Luckily I was OK but my bike sustained $10,023 worth of damage.
The accident occurred 1.1km south of six mile bridge on the Pambula to Wyndham Mt Darragh Rd.
It was caused by loose gravel on a corner, which I unfortunately hit with my front wheel and had no chance at all of gaining control of my bike.
On ringing the Bega Valley Shire Council the following day I spoke to a disinterested person who informed me it was swept three weeks ago.
I am no expert on road construction or maintenance, but obviously neither of which are working.
There were two warning signs laid flat on their backs and not visible.
This is not the first time I have rung the council having experienced the same problems in the past, fortunately without mishap.
The council had a bobcat there with a brush on April 3, four days after my accident.
I put a report of the incident in the local shop, which gained 26 signatures of people having similar experiences or loss of control on that same corner - fortunately without any further serious consequences.
Does someone have to have a fatal accident before safer procedures on all corners are practised?
I know us motorcyclists are considered by some official bodies and some members of the public all to be revheads.
This concept in 99 per cent is untrue.
The majority of us are responsible, experienced and ride with 110 per cent concentration.
If we didn't there would be very few of us left alive!
There are enough hazards to contend with without inadequate road maintenance!
Yours in sheer disgust.
Alistair Drew
Wyndham