I pulled up opposite the RTA. Sitting in front of me was a very small car with something big and orange hanging out from its front wheel. On closer inspection I saw it was a big witch’s hat.

An elderly lady was sitting in the driver’s seat and I asked her to wind down her window. She was a little reluctant at first; probably as my wife says when I am off to town “get changed you look like a derelict”.

Finally after taking a while to work out how to get the window down I told her about the witch’s hat and got it out for her.

Apparently on the way into town she was pulled up by the breathalyser. So now the police are short one witch’s hat.

After the agenda for this week's  council meeting was published last Friday, the Bega Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association (BVSRRA) was told by some residents in Bega St, Tathra, that they felt betrayed by council for bringing the Kalaru/Tathra Bike Track issue to this week’s meeting for a decision, as they had been told that the issue would not be considered until next month.

Having received no prior warning of council’s intentions, those same residents believe they have not been afforded adequate time to consider and prepare a response to the recommendation being put to council, based as it is on 45 pages of reports, including a significant volume of data that is simply illegible.

Those same residents are also angry about the fact that they are unlikely to be able to get time-off work in order to address council.

But, most importantly, they are angry about the fact that council appears determined to needlessly pursue the destruction of their quiet surroundings for no good reason and put residents and cyclists at unnecessary amplified risk.

Council’s director of assets and operations has recommended to council that it pursue the construction of the bike path in accordance with “Option One: North Side of Bega St” and proceed with the final design, tender and construction of this segment of the Tathra to Kalaru Bike Track.

In tabling his recommendation, the director has adhered to BVSC’s practice of making big, bold claims, devoid of substance, by claiming that “it provides the most efficient use of the road reserve and provides the greatest benefit to the wider community”.

To that the BVSRRA says “Rubbish!”

The BVSRRA challenges council to evidence how the “wider community” will enjoy a greater benefit by the proposed bike path being constructed on the north side of Bega Street or in accordance with any of the other acceptable options.

The BVSRRA contends that all the “wider community” might be concerned about is that the bike track will be built; jobs will be created; it won’t impose any cost on ratepayers (it is being funded by a $3million state government grant); it will attract more visitors to the area; and it will provide additional infrastructure that both the community and visitors can enjoy.

The BVSRRA also questions the relevance of the local bike riding community’s views on the preferred location of the bike track, when surely their greatest concern must be that they are getting a track and not whether it is located on the north side of Bega St or behind or adjacent to nearby Lawrence Park.

In examining the comparisons made by council between the option proposed and the alternatives considered, the BVSRRA believes that there are no major factors suggesting that one is superior to the other, in particular when it is considered that the project is being funded by the state government.

Friends of the Old Bega Hospital would like to thank all those who made the Raise The Roof Spring Fair such a successful event, particularly our major sponsors, Bega Cheese and the Bega Valley Shire Council.

The Hoops, with their great music and Brett Rogers with his dog high jump added to the enjoyment of the day. We would also like to thank all the business and individuals in Bega and Tathra who supported us with donations to the chocolate wheel prizes and other services. These included Coast Hire and the University of Wollongong.

Below are all other the businesses who contributed their wares and services: Tathra Little Bottlo,  Nook Coffee Shop, ABC South East, Bega Newsagency, Studio 157, Fleur de lis Nails, Red Cafe, Hub, Bankin' Beans, Plevey's Chemist, Southern Homes, Life Style Boutique,  Peter Darcy, Tathra Country Club, Bendy Kate's, Tathra Beach Bowling Club, Office Choice, Tathra Beach Family Park, Tathra Beach Designs, Tathra Beach Real Estate, Tathra Beach General Store, Inkwell Art, Betta Electrical, Tathra Newsagency, Georgie's Fine Jewellery, Tuff-As Workware, Carpet Court, Direct Chemist, Tarra Motors, No. 1 Happy Emporium, Bega Garden Nursery, Exquisite Blooms, Wood's Cafe, Phoenix Bulk Foods, Southern Farm Supplies, Mike Stafford's Butcher's Block, Mal's Pizza Bite, Sports Power, Club Bega, Bega Valley Pets and Aquariums, Candelo Books, Ryan Pauline Barber Shop, Bega Valley Meats, Raelene's Hair Affair, Potoroo Palace, On The Perch Bird Park, Tathra Mimosa Meats, Bega/Cobargo Vet Clinic, Target, Mitre 10,  Fat Tony's Restaurant, Magpie Music, Coles Bega.

The Friends also appreciated the beautiful cakes and treats donated by so many wonderful cooks, and all those who assisted in the setting-up and cleaning-up.

The Spring Fair was a perfect example of how a community pulls together in support of their much-loved historical treasures.