The circumstances surrounding David Brand's death need to be fully investigated and to achieve this Louise has formally requested a Coronial Inquest. On Friday, June 7, members of Bega Tathra Safe Ride accompanied Louise to a meeting with local MP Andrew Constance at his Bega office. We would like to acknowledge the genuine concern and understanding that Andrew expressed to Louise during the meeting. His kind offer to write a letter in support of her request for a Coronial Inquest is comforting to her as she deals with the anniversary of David's death.

Bega Tathra Safe Ride fully supports Louise Brand's request. It has been inspiring for us to see a person, who has experienced such a devastating loss, working so hard for justice for David, while also constructively advocating for road safety improvements that will benefit all road users, not just those on bikes.

In February this year Louise Brand was not obliged to read her Victim Impact Statement to the court but did so because, as she stated, "he [David] would have done that for me". She can also be confident that, just as she has done, he would have requested a Coronial Inquest and campaigned for road safety improvements.

All of us can recognise in these determined actions a person truly committed to honouring the memory of their much loved partner of 40 years.

Congratulations to those encouraging Bega Valley Shire Council to declare a climate emergency (BDN, 14/6). Regrettably, BVSC's "Clean Energy Plan 2019-2030", is more a of cost cutting exercise.

As indicated in the plan, greenhouse gas emissions are reducing from big electricity producers, due to the switch to solar and wind generation. So, under the do nothing option, emissions will reduce anyway. The plan considers efficiency, but not carbon management. Rather, the plan dismisses the option to remove carbon from biomass and generate electricity because there is 'no market' for the carbon, in the form of biochar.

However, management based on continuous improvement would consider reducing the use of all fossil fuel powered equipment, in favour of electric alternatives and sustainable methods to power them. A good example is the current use of a large diesel powered logging machine, that council employs to shred offensive roadside vegetation.

An alternative to this approach could be to remove the woody biomass, use part of the electricity to run the necessary electric equipment and return the carbon/biochar to the soil. Such an approach would be consistent with the science that tells us that addressing the climate crisis requires significant change. Some local biochar facilities could also provide landholders with the possibility to exchange biomass for biochar.

Local government needs to be much more proactive on anticipating and planning for, the much larger costs climate change is poised to bring.

The photo shows the work undertaken by the Tathra Lions Club on our flag pole and memorial. Over the past years the attendance at both the Anzac Day and our Remembrance Day have increased and for that we are eternally grateful. The Lions Club has noticed this increase and is expanding the area to make it more comfortable for all in attendance.

The work will be finished for Remembrance Day on November 11 and it will be rededicated before or on that day. The Bega sub branch thanks the Tathra Lions Club for their generous time in regard this protect.