I sometimes wonder what makes our Government tick, so I took a look at the core beliefs outlined on the Liberal Party website here:  www.liberal.org.au/our-beliefs and surprisingly found myself in agreement with most of it.

I could even entertain the idea of joining a party that has those ideals.

But Tony Abbott’s government fails miserably at behaving in accord with its own manifesto.

Take for example the second last paragraph: “(The Liberal Party believes) in preserving Australia's natural beauty and the environment for future generations.”

So many of the decisions our Government has taken have had the opposite effect. 

The go-ahead given to mine the Liverpool Plains recently is the last of a long series of examples which show that there is in fact very little consideration giving to preserving the environment.

In this case one wonders how food security can be so easily cast aside for the short term gains of a mine owned by a foreign country.

We know that coal needs to stay in the ground to avoid a global collapse of agriculture.

That means no new coal mines, and especially this one, larger than the Sydney CBD, on the most fertile soils in Australia, on top of an aquifer that irrigates the crops grown there? Madness!

Adani Mining's Galilee Basin proposed coal mine – more madness. 

It’s all about risk. The risk of affecting the world’s climate by burning all that coal is zero so Tony would have us believe – he is apparently extremely knowledgeable about climate science.

And the risk of damaging the reef – again negligible so our Government would like us to think. And the risk of damaging forever the Liverpool planes, don’t you worry about that. Joh Bjelke Peterson would approve I’m sure.

These coal mines don’t even make economic sense given the low price of coal, which is now worth only one third of what it was when the mines were proposed.

Perhaps Tony would do well to listen to Barnaby Joyce who at least is prepared to speak for our farmers on this issue.

Frank Eden

Narooma

Flawed flood study - short on solutions

I was invited to attend the recent Narooma Flood Study drop in sessions by a group of Dalmeny residents.

Needless to say I was concerned at the apparent inaccuracies in the Dalmeny section of that study.

I also agree with the residents that both Council and Parks and Wildlife must get their act together on lake management, storm water drainage, and maintenance, before Council considers new flood planning levels.

A number of Narooma residents expressed concern that the study was three years old and did not consider the hydraulic effect of the new round about on the Narooma Flat.

They also complained that the study, which Council claims will provide certainty to local residents and developers, is only stage one of a four stage program.

It offers no solution to flooding or inundation of the Narooma Flat, and there is no guarantee that Council or the State Government will fund, or undertake the remaining three stages of the program. The other stages include the risk assessment study, the solutions and the implementation plan.

The Flat is important to Narooma both commercially and as the town’s primary tourist precinct.

If Narooma is to have a future, the Flat must be protected from flooding and the tidal inundation that Council is projecting in its sea level rise policies.

This will only happen if a majority of councillors get behind the development and implementation of a practical mitigation plan, and look for innovative ways to fund the protective measures.

I am at a loss to understand why such an important issue has not attracted the interest of the resident mayor Lindsay Brown or local Narooma councillor Neil Burnside.

It is an impossible task for me to convince other councillors and the council administration on the merits of a flood/sea level rise mitigation plan for either Dalmeny or the Narooma Flat, if we do not have the support of your local councillors.

Clr Milton Leslight

Batemans Bay

Mayor's say… One of a kind

I write this week’s column with much emotion, sadness and a sense of loss as along with many in our community, I grieve the loss of my friend and colleague Councillor Fergus Thomson.

Much will be written about Ferg in this week’s media – testament to his generous and expansive life. A life well lived.

It’s ironic that amongst the many sad conversations and thoughts, I’m also reading and making notes on this week’s council meeting.

Ferg would have had no sympathy for me getting distracted from the business of council as his commitment to serving the community in his role as an elected representative was legendary.

This attitude was brought home to me when he was first diagnosed with his brain tumour, his first conversation with me was to confide "don't worry Lindsay, I won't cause a bi-election".

Ferg had made enquiries and found out the timing triggers for a bi-election before the next council elections in September 2016.

And he successfully achieved that and a bit more, as he didn't want to inflict any cost or inconvenience inflicted on his community.

Despite his illness, Fergus continued to actively involve himself and contribute to discussions and debate at Council until only quite recently.

In his role as a councillor and Mayor, Fergus was a true statesman. Always a gentleman, Ferg led, won and even lost the odd debate, all with wisdom and respect, a lesson for us all.

Along with many local councillors past and present, and from those across Australia who knew him in his wider representative local government roles, I learnt a great deal from Ferg.

I expect it will be a long time before I can look to my left from the mayor’s chair in a council meeting without a jolt of loss, missing his quick and incisive debate.

Ferg was also well loved by council staff who will form a guard of honour outside the council building in Moruya on Wednesday at 12.45pm, and community members are welcome as well.

The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club Pipes and Drums will lead the short procession as the funeral car drives past on its way to the Broulee Crematorium for the service at 2pm.

Council’s flags will be flown at half-mast for the next three days as a mark of respect.

Ferg's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sydney Neuro Oncology Group, which is a is a charitable organisation whose aim is to improve the management of brain tumours through targeted research, information sharing and constant scrutiny of treatment options.

A collection box will be located at council’s front counter in Moruya if you wish to make a donation or you can donate on line at www.snog.org.au

Fergus Thomson:  a thoroughly decent human being and a good friend to all.

Please contact me at mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or phone 0418 279 215.

Clr Lindsay Brown

Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire

Earn and Learn support

I would like to encourage all locals and visitors to our town to support the children of Narooma at pre-school, primary and high school.

Everyone who shops at Woolworths can contribute to our childrens' education by asking for the Earn and Learn stickers as they proceed through the checkout and placing them in a box on the way out.

Just think, you can use your shopping dollars for more than just filling your fridge and pantry.

In 2013 Narooma Primary were able to redeem their stickers for over $15,000 worth of resources and these will be used in the school for years to come.

We don't often get an opportunity to supplement our resources with no expense to the school or the community so please get on board and give a moment of your time to collect the stickers and help the facility of your choice.

Even if you no longer have school age children you can improve the education of our town's youngsters. That has got to be a "feel-good" moment!

On behalf of all our students I thank you in anticipation of your support.

Jo Millar

Teacher Narooma Public School

A letter to Bega Valley councillors

Dear Ms Barnes and councillors,

Over the last couple of years council has committed significantly to pedestrian/cyclist infrastructure in Bermagui.

The construction of a shared pathway from the public wharf area westwards to near the Bermagui River bridge and beyond is popular with both cyclists and walkers as a safe and attractive route from  the bridge to the shopping centre.

Council has been well thought of locally for providing this well planned facility. School children, parents with toddlers, shoppers, dog walkers and cyclists - both local and visitor alike - make great use of the path.

There is, however, a safety problem where the pathway reaches Lamont Street caused by the failure to date by council to complete a standard crossing with blisters and centre island across that street.

Once safely across the busy street, track users are able once again to join the continuing pathway northwards to, over and beyond the bridge.

The blisters have been completed relatively recently but there is no indication that the central island will be in place soon.

For the safety of all users but particularly schoolchildren, people with young children and older people we ask that the central refuge island be constructed as a matter of urgency.

Jack Miller

Bermagui

Why Mr Hendy?

IN his recent newsletter Member for Eden Monaro Peter Hendy claims to be ‘Strengthening the Community’. If true Mr Hendy needs to explain to his constituents how investor state dispute settlements (ISDS) in the China Free Trade

Agreement and the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will strengthen the community.

ISDS threaten local, state and federal sovereignty, being that foreign corporations will have the right to sue Australia in foreign countries, if domestic regulations threaten future corporate/shareholder profits.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald negotiations of key aspects of the China trade deal were not complete, yet the Abbott Government signed the treaty.

Released Government information reveals that Chinese electricians, cabinet makers, carpenters and mechanics will qualify for 457 visas without undergoing necessary skills assessments.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb and Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng have agreed that eliminating regulations “for all occupations within five years” is their goal.

Critics of the Trans Pacific Partnership including chairman of Australian Super Heather Ridout says Australia “will regret” handing over sovereignty and control of government policy to foreign corporations in the TPP.

All calls by the public, interest groups and community groups for transparency before the TPP is signed by Cabinet are ignored by the Abbott government, as are calls by the Opposition, Greens and cross benchers to allow Parliamentary scrutiny before the trade deal is ratified.

Three questions for Mr Hendy re the China FTA –

I. Why did the government accept an unequal investment chapter on market access and non-discrimination, in China's favour?

2. Why did the government refer decision making about the most controversial aspects of ISDS to a future committee?

3. Why did the government ensure it could keep key documents and hearings in ISDS – especially in Chinese investors' claims against Australia – from the public?

Maureen Searson

Batemans Bay

Unfair to many

The Federal Coalition Government has an agenda which is taking this Country far away from its Democratic values to a place that existed before the Magna Carta was signed in 1215.

They are attacking, “public anything”;

Welfare recipients and pensioners;

Alternate energy investment, but not their mineral miner donors;

Anything that is “unionised” in Australia by blue collar workers;

Free speech by any organisation or anybody that does not agree with them;

Many community based organisations through lack of funding support;

Their main objectives are clear, despite their attempt to distract our minds by focusing our community on anything sounding like “terrorism”

They are;

To remove their obligation to fund public health and education by having the states and territories increase taxes;

To attack their political opponents by undermining their supporters in an effort retain long term political dominance;

To enable a positive political and market place environment for their supporters to flourish within.

This Federal Coalition Government goes about its business by stealth and deception as it knows its policies are unpopular because they are unfair and unjust to the majority of Australians.

Ray Sillett

Tuross Head