The NSW MPA and several academics benefitting from MPA research funding continue to promote fishing as a major threat to biodiversity to justify their locking-up of 20 per cent of marine park areas as no-fishing zones. In reality there is little scientific evidence to indicate that the great majority of these zones will be of any benefit to fish stocks.

Given the nature of current marine park research, I can confidently predict that when the five-year zoning review is due, the MPA will not be able to demonstrate any improvement in the stocks of popular angling species as a result of imposing these zones. Meanwhile, overzealous conservation groups are pushing for the area of such zones to be increased.

Lest I again be branded as “bitter and twisted” by certain conservation pedants, let me state that I am thankful for some blessings. Banning trawling has certainly benefitted demersal species such as flathead.

At least the article “Dolphins are doing it” in the previous Narooma News (13 January) did not attribute an increase in dolphin libido to the marine park! In any event, let us hope that the next State election sees Duncan Gay becoming the Minister responsible for managing fisheries as the current Ministers clearly have no idea of what is needed.

Richard Tilzey

Central Tilba

Pipeline changes not likely

I NOTICE the media release by the Eurobodalla Shire Council on January 21.

Council states that the pipeline is finished or completed, this seems it may be a 12-month cycle as on the January 12, 2009, council put out a media release stating that the pipeline construction is now complete but had to wait for the contractors to commission the line to make it operational. It appears that has not yet happened.

The media release also quotes that during the course of construction the contractor changed the methodology and this is why we have fittings and pipe left over.

Let me say that in my experience with specifications and tendering there is one thing a contractor doesn't do, and that is to change specifications without the specified change being stamped signed and delivered and most times there is an excess

I wonder who was the expert determinator? Sounds like another case that cost the ratepayer some $4 million in what appeared to be similar to this.

Peter Nielsen

Tuross Head

Join the property rights rally

MOMENTUM is building around the State as buses are coordinated to take farmers off the land and down to Canberra on February 2 for a Property Rights Rally.

Property Rights affects every single farmer in every region of our State.

The date of the Rally coincides with the first sitting day of Federal Parliament for 2010 and will highlight the importance of the erosion of property rights across a range of areas including native vegetation, water and mining, all requiring ‘just terms’ compensation.

The Rally will be held in Canberra on Tuesday 2 February, assembling from 10am at Old Parliament House, Canberra and then we will march at 12 noon up to Parliament House.

Peter Spencer, a southern NSW farmer, has created a renewed interest and focus on issues of just terms compensation for legislation that adversely impacts us.

We all know that farmers are stewards of our land, and work with a view to sustainability and biodiversity. We aren’t looking to ignore this responsibility, but when our livelihoods are adversely impacted by legislation, be it regarding native vegetation, mining, water or other issues, we need fair and reasonable compensation.

Charles Armstrong

President – NSW Farmers’ Association

The Big Dry is on again

OUR improving understanding of Earth's climate, and the changes that are being observed sometimes make it hard to keep up.

For example, last week NASA announced that the past 10 years was the warmest ever on Earth since records have been taken. There is nothing new about that, but the US space agency found that 2009 was the second warmest year on record since modern temperature records began in 1880. Last year was only a small fraction of a degree cooler than 2005, the warmest yet, putting 2009 in a virtual tie with the other hottest years, which have all occurred since 1998.

Our planet is warming, and change is being forced upon us. Could drought be one of the changes that we will need to adapt to.

A few weeks ago I suggested that the current drought in SE NSW was unprecedented, and may be due to climate change. That comment has attracted some very polarised opinions.

There are many farms and farmers that have been coping with intermittent rainfall in the Bega Valley for generations. Is the current drought a fluctuation, or the start of a drying trend? That is a question that is more important to our farmers than just about anything else.

Many farmers, particularly ones that have been farming for a long time, have suggested very forcefully to me that the last 15 years of below average rainfall is just part of a natural cycle.

They may be right, and far be it for an orthopaedic surgeon to tell farmers what is happening to their rainfall. However, the CSIRO has had plenty to say on the subject.

I would suggest than anyone with an interest in long-term rainfall patterns in SE NSW should have a look at the CSIRO’s South Eastern Australian Climate Initiative. It suggests that the drought in SE NSW is not just a natural dry stretch, but a shift related to climate change. An intensification and southern movement of a subtropical high pressure ridge is driving rain-bearing low pressure systems further south, into the Southern Ocean, and away from Australia.

The net effect is for Southern Australia to become drier, as the Northern half of Australia gets wetter. Bertrand Timbal from the Bureau of Meteorology says “It’s reasonable to say that a lot of the current drought (in Southern Australia) of the last 12 to 13 years is due to ongoing global warming.”

The CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorolgy are linking drought in Southern Australia with rising global emissions. Not everyone agrees, but when you look at their scientific rationale, it would be foolhardy to ignore them. We will have good seasons again, but we cannot discount a drying trend.

Matthew Nott

Clean Energy for Eternity

Much said about climate change

MUCH has been said about “climate change” in recent times. There are two thoughts or attitudes in regard the “climate change” something that’s been happening for thousands of years I believe. Some agree some don’t. Those who don’t have it seems unravelled some of the misinformation relating to the propaganda

But why is it those who don’t agree with the so-called experts on this are called skeptics.

It seems to me the “skeptics” have more of a handle on reality about this “climate change” than the fear mongers and political revenue raising con artists.

If ordinary people were able to go about their business without interference from the extremists everyone would be better off.

Allan Brown

Batemans Bay

The fear of rising electricity costs

MANY Far South Coast residents have been in contact with me expressing concern about rising electricity prices in the region.

People are raising valid concerns and there is financial hardship that many people are experiencing due to this increase in electricity costs.

The NSW Labor Government's Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal released its draft determination on electricity prices in December last year. The recommended increases, including the forecasted effects of the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, will see a typical customer of Country Energy's bill increase by $893 by 2013.

Without the introduction of the CPRS scheme by 2013 prices will rise by an extra $594 for Country Energy customers.

These increases have largely been caused by the State Labor Government's failure to properly manage our energy infrastructure.

The Government has ripped more than $11.4 billion in taxes and dividends out of the State's electricity system over the past 15 years. Labor failed to properly use the money to ensure our energy infrastructure was maintained to keep pace with population growth and industry needs.

I believe it's completely unfair that the community have become the victims of Labor's mismanagement.

We have put pressure on the Government to ensure there are appropriate exemptions available and to make sure we see the best price possible for taxpayers in the Government's upcoming sale of the energy retailers.

We will continue to put pressure on the Government to make sure residents are treated fairly and their concerns are addressed.

Andrew Constance MP

Member for Bega