Isuue beyond urgent
It was fitting the Meet the Candidates meeting in Bermagui took place on a very climate-affected evening!
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thank you to the candidates who attended and for the organisers of the event.
Dr Hendy's absence was sorely felt.
Evident from all the discussion is that the issue of the changing climate moves beyond a political question and concern. It has moved to a matter of future survival for our Australian population and the world.
It is clear we need to stop pussy-footing around with our dialogue and argument – it is obvious, it is scientifically proven, and we are experiencing it right now with extreme weather events.
Our daily existence is and will be affected by the way in which we tackle the reality of climate change. It is beyond urgent.
To government leaders – be courageous in your leadership. Time is running out. This is the time, the only time, to take the opportunity to invest in renewable energy sources, to harness the wind, sun and waves for their energy, and in so doing create jobs for people in our communities, investing in the health and wealth of the citizens you seek to serve.
It is incredulous to think we would let this time slip by. Your children, our children, will hold you and us all to account.
Let each citizen of this beautiful gift of a country take seriously the privilege of their vote on July 2 – a vote we take while there is still oxygen to breathe and water to drink.
It is that basic.
Dr Nadine Hills, Bermagui
Anyone seen Peter?
Peter? Peter? Excuse me, anyone seen Peter? We have mislaid our elected personage...lost him, like a handbag.
We stand whispering, huddled in concern, staring into the crowds of would be politicians.
We so wanted you to be there, the “meet your candidates” night.
Did you forget to pencil it in (so hard to find a pencil nowadays)? Was NBNCo offline again Peter?
Peter, we missed you shaking our sticky hands, kissing our snuffling babies and excoriated grannies (can't afford the doctors fees anymore, Peter), and running our innocent free range chicken raffle.
But oh, Peter, there is a terrible rumour going around that you don't appear in public anymore, that you are afraid of us, the Elves of Bermagui, the Gnomes of Cobargo – and those admittedly terrible creatures from Brogo, Dignams Creek and other deepest, darkest places in Eden-Monaro.
It hurts, Peter, it hurts...is it our wee green beanies?
Never mind, the rest of the candidates showed joy and happiness in meeting us, sharing our concerns, discussing the issues which bother our tiny, bothersome heads.
Don't you worry about a thing, Peter Hendy...we won't miss you too much. Love you, Peter
Jennifer Lowe, Bermagui
Danger not receding
It never gets any easier seeing the tragic number of motorists who die or are injured after being caught in floodwaters and sadly the weekend’s storms were no exception.
Even though the immediate threat has passed, there are still many hidden dangers. Road surfaces have been torn to shreds by flash flooding across the state, trees have been uprooted, and road safety signs have been ripped from their foundations.
Recently, a report from the NRMA identified a $1.7million repair backlog for NSW road maintenance. It worries me to think how much worse the situation is after these storms.
The economic impact of damaged roads is substantial. The personal impact on families coping with the death or injury of a loved one is immeasurable.
Until these roads are fixed, please drive with the knowledge that the danger does not recede with the floodwaters.