Australians are in a funk. Business and consumer confidence is bottoming as the Abbott Government undoes new industries such as renewable energy, instead propping up old fossil fuelled industries, promoting the burning of native forests for electricity and lowering environmental standards.

Wake up Tony, Joe, Mathias and Andrew, a 70 per cent reduction in investment in renewables, with carbon emissions up, should be bleedingly obvious you are behind the times, putting the next generation’s prospects at risk.

Prue Acton OBE

Wallagoot 

Sealed footpath need

There is currently no sealed footpath between the Dalmeny bus stops on the Princes Highway and the footpath/bike path that ends outside the Dalmeny Bowling Club.

Travellers with luggage using these bus stops need to be either collected or dropped off by car.

Travellers with luggage and without access to "courtesy vehicles" must walk on Mort Avenue and dodge vehicular traffic.

This can be dangerous when, for example, south-bound commercial traffic turns at speed into Mort Avenue.

Personal experience with running this gauntlet leads us to believe that there is a traffic safety issue that needs to be addressed.

Extension of the excellent Narooma to Dalmeny bike path/foot path to the highway bus stops would appear to be a cost-effective, logical and an essential safety improvement.

Paul Davidson

Dalmeny  

Ambulance saviours

On the long weekend my husband and I came down from Sydney to visit a dear friend who lives at Dalmeny. On Monday, October 6, it was my 50th birthday.

We went out to lunch to Bermagui to eat fish and chips. I felt fine, went back to our friends’ house to celebrate with a few bourbons.

I started to feel unwell and pains in my chest which radiated to my shoulder blades.

Within a few minutes I was vomiting, sweating and the pain was getting worse.

I told my friend I had bad pains in my chest and he called an ambulance, which arrived in about five minutes.

They did an ECG of my heart they said I was having a heart attack.

The ambulance men were great giving me pain relief keeping me alive and they took me to Moruya Hospital where Dr Jon took over.

Doing a blood test, he said I was having a heart attack.

The staff organised another ambulance to take me to Canberra Hospital still having pains in my chest.

We arrived at Canberra hospital at 1.30am Tuesday.

The cardiologist came and did an angiogram and they found three blood clots - one was a 100 per cent block another was 50 per cent and 40 per cent.

I had a balloon and stent put in to unblock the 100 per cent blockage.

I just wanted to say thank-you to both ambulance crews at Narooma who took me to Moruya and Canberra Hospital also to Dr Jon and staff and to Dr Tan at Canberra Hospital.

If it wasn’t for all of these professional people I probably wouldn’t be able to write this story. I am so grateful to everybody who was involved. Thank-you to my dear friend.

Kim Davies

Mount Annan

Narooma’s on the Flat drain pain

Since my letter to the editor on October 22 and George Hulley and Peter Bernard’s on October 29 respectively, after the October 14 floods, it appears that our rate paying council has finally taken some notice.

I have to inform all editorial learned readers that there has been some “movement in the station” whereby open drainage systems have finally been partially attended to and I have finally witnessed a street sweeper in my and nearby streets, a species I thought had become extinct in this area.

But I must inform you as the photo clearly shows of the open canal between Lynch and McMillian Road, that only part of the job has been completed and structured storm water drains are yet to be cleared of debris.

On October 27, I sent a letter to ESC voicing my and nearly 30 residence and business concerns about the lack of action and infrastructure, with as yet no reply.

Having just received my second instalment ESC rate notice I wonder what would happen if every resident or business “On the Flat” were to take the same lack lustre approach as ESC, thinking about when or if to pay this bill. Time now to contemplate!

Gabe Eichler

Lynch Street, Narooma

Mayor’s say… Responding to community requests

Last week I explained some facts and figures about Eurobodalla Shire Council’s proposal to fund a package of community and transport infrastructure projects and works through a special rate variation.

In the past week I have enjoyed the opportunity of talking with many residents about the proposal at the community information sessions in Narooma and Moruya libraries, at Moruya Markets and in my usual weekly meetings with community groups.

Next Monday we will hold another information session at the Batemans Bay Library at 5pm and I encourage you to come along if you are interested in more details and to ask questions. We will also be at the Batemans Bay markets on Sunday.

It’s important to remember that Council has not yet made a decision on whether it will apply for a rate variation and this community engagement period will help us make that decision in December.

Please let us know your views by sending an email or letter to council. Your comments on social media or to the local newspapers and community or business groups can’t be accepted as submissions in this process so if you have something to say, make it count by letting us know directly.

I have been asked a few times how we came up with the proposal and the list of projects.

The journey to consider a rate variation started earlier in the year when as Councillors we faced the challenge of how we could provide the new infrastructure projects our community was asking for and maintain and renew our current infrastructure at acceptable standard. 

Our community has been letting us know about the community and transport infrastructure they expect us to provide since 2011 when we started developing the Eurobodalla Community Strategic Plan.

Since then we have also received feedback during the public exhibition of our annual Operational Plans, 4-year Delivery Plans, the Recreation and Open Space Strategy, the shared Pathway Strategy, Road Safety Strategic Plan and other plans and strategies that involve the provision of infrastructure.

It’s fair to say that in the past few years the organisation has achieved significant savings and there are plans and processes in place to ensure this continues.

Savings have been made by improving procurement and asset management practice, improving productivity, regularly reviewing service delivery and safety practice, using better work practices and technologies and collaborating with neighbouring councils, the ACT, NSW and Commonwealth Governments, and building regional partnerships.

Despite this, we still don’t have enough funds to continue to provide the current standard of infrastructure and services, and deliver the new projects our community has asked for.

A special rate variation is a way that the community can consider funding these works. 

Please let me know if there is any issue you feel Eurobodalla Shire Council may be able to help you with. You can email me at mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or phone me on 0418 279 215.

Clr Lindsay Brown

Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire 

Bermi park finally here!

IT is so exciting to see this long awaited project finally become a reality.

Project manager Jim Callaghan and a dedicated team of workers and volunteers have worked together to create a fabulous asset for the Bermagui Community.

It has taken over 15 years for the project to finally happen with lots of fundraising and support from many people.

This has been an amazing community effort with local business, council and community members all working together:

Jim Callaghan, Bega Valley Shire Council, Richard Cunningham, Bill Taylor, Stu Longhurst (earthworks and concreting), Cuz Ozawa (earthworks), Neville Reid (earthworks), Chris and Tim Reid (concreting), Bob Harris (set out), Andrew Curven (set out and labour), Matt Gilder (earthworks and concreting), Jacqui Howarth (steel fix and committee), Jamie White (set out and welding), James Drakos ( welding), Julian Brown (earthworks), Kelvin Myers (concreting), Ken Jacobs (steel fix), Eli Wetzler (concreting), Belinda and Kieren Uhbrian (concreting), Steve Neilson (earthworks), Chris Markwort, Dave Monk (steel fixing), Wayne Lucas (steel fixing), Scott Ballard, Drew Forbes, Matt Farnham, Steve Thornton, Aimee White (committee), Kerry McGlashen (committee), Narelle Myers (committee), Jim Collins (committee), Paul Callaghan, Terry Callaghan, Kristy Callaghan, Vanessa Ballard, Jesse Austin, Rex Porter, John Huddleston, Steve O'Sullivan, Noel Hasse, James Kelly, Bernie Welsh (fencing), Pat Kelly, Craig Hurst, Glen Went, Ed Willson (logo design), Andy Austin, Bernie Parsons, Willie White, Dale, Errol Masterson, Tracy Reeves, Vesna Andric, Paul and Kerry Morgan, Ali Robson, Bridge Motors (fuel), Trent Blows, Chris Webb (committee), Wayland Mason, Neilson Bros Mitre 10 (truck), Adam Miller, Finn Askew (design and plans), Paul Lazzaro (water supply/ pipes) and Bega Valley Shire Council: Bermagui Team.

Apologies if we have missed any individuals or businesses, but please know that your help and support was greatly appreciated.

The park is a fabulous asset for our community… a place where people of all ages can come to skate, scoot and ride. The fabulous design has taken into consideration all ages with scope for toddlers, kids, teens and adults to all have fun.

It is hoped that the addition of picnic areas, paths, playground and exercise equipment in the future will further add to this as place where everyone feels welcome.

Many thanks to you all!

Narelle Myers

Bermagui Skate Park Committee

Say thanks Narooma - WWI centenary

Narooma town of clear blue waters

A wonderful place for its sons and daughters

For those who have lived here for many a year

And those who have found it of late by chance

Discover the romance of the bush and beaches

The people, the wildlife, and rocky features

All that makes for a pleasant life

Close friends, slow pace, no city type strife

We are blessed to live in this glorious location

A little known spot in our amazing nation

We are the lucky ones to live here

Lay back, relaxed, no fear

So Narooma on this special centennial occasion

Marking the beginning of World War 1

Give thanks to those who enabled us to live in this splendour

Thank the courageous Aussie defender

We were not there to thank those, way back then

Innocent boys soon turned into men

But we are here now to thank those who came after

Thanks to you all, for peace, life and laughter

Shake their hands Narooma and say thanks if you’re able

Think of them all while you sit at the table

‘Cause if it wasn’t for these folk so brave

The Narooma we love could be silent and grave

Ruby Speargrass

Narooma