I REGRET to have to inform your readers of sad tidings from the normally tranquil village of Potato Point.

Our streets formerly saw little but friendly neighbours chatting happily, the odd wallaby grazing on the lawns, the occasional surfer eagerly making his way to the beach and people coming together in times of trouble.

Residents would go to and from their daily tasks (which might even take them to the big smoke of Narooma or beyond), always confident that the peace of Spud Point's natural environment of bush and beach would welcome them home and soothe any tensions.

Sadly, these simple pleasures are no more. Many locals now get around with a pit of anxiety in their stomachs, people toss and turn in their beds with stress and neighbours look at each other with suspicion while whispering sour abuse.

They drive in and out of the village under garish red and white signs which look balefully down from trees and telegraph poles to remind them of what they have lost.

What has been the cause of this dismal downturn?  Something called a ‘community association’ was set up last year. Like the Trojan horse, it was outwardly attractive but toxic within.

Its only objective was to put in place a “firebreak”, by which it meant the destruction of large areas of native vegetation around the village. Its only reason for existence was to get around established institutional arrangements for managing fire risk.

People came in with skills of political lobbying and media influence and created the impression that the firebreak objective was shared by everyone. Many in the village were made to feel uncertain and more anxious about fire. The government was alarmed by all this and undertook to do some clearing.

Science and environment experts have put some important facts before the community association but, unfortunately, there are none so blind as those who will not see.

The association’s disciples remain happily impervious to the results of a detailed assessment which shows that the area in question contains several threatened species of birds and animals, whose habitats will inevitably be degraded.

They are also blissfully deaf to the advice of one of Australia’s leading fire scientists, who visited the area and informed the community that the fire risk at Potato Point is relatively low, that the present fire break is adequate and that the casuarinas in the proposed firebreak area are actually helpful as they can trap embers, mitigate winds and reduce radiated heat.

And the association’s disciples automatically shut down their thought processes when the fire expert explained that the proposal to clear a 200 metre strip around the village would actually increase the risk to lives and property by accelerating wind speed and the transport of burning embers.

Like the remorseless Daleks they lurch forward without the slightest deviation, chanting ‘Firebreak! Firebreak!’ instead of ‘Exterminate’.

Where do we go from here? Sadly, much damage has been done. Vegetation has already been destroyed and more may yet go. People feel they have been treated without respect.

Words have been spoken that cannot be taken back. But many others in the local community have started to take an interest and are making their views known and this may help to counter the raucous demands coming from one side. Perhaps we will end up with some balance, but I fear it will only be a compromise between contested positions rather than an evidence-based outcome enjoying general community support.

Whatever the outcome for Potato Point, there is a lesson in this sorry tale for other Eurobodalla communities.

If someone ever suggests the establishment of a community association, think very, very carefully. You may be looking at an embryonic Frankenstein’s monster. Better strangle it at birth.

Bill Barker

Potato Point

Healthy equals happy

LATE last year your pages informed us about the Obesity Time Bomb community forum. The forum was shaken by alarming information from the World Health Organisation and Professor Allender about the horrific hospitalisation and mortality statistics associated with an avoidable medical condition.

In a recent "Can't ignore fat stats" article, councillor Schwarz repeated the brutal facts “…66 per cent of men and 53 per cent of women are overweight or obese. One person dies every 14 days in a shire hospital from an obesity-related illness.

Around 300 people are admitted to the shire’s crowded, under-resourced hospitals each year due to obesity, which now kills more people than smoking.”

There is great news for residents who have yet to activate plans to be more active and healthy. It can put so much more fun and enjoyment in your life.

The beaming face of happy kayaker, Bob Thurbon, says it all.

With Eurobodalla's gentle climate, superb natural features, great local food and many activity groups willing to welcome new participants, there are few better places to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Our cycling groups, bushwalkers, netballers, surf lifesavers, dragon boaters, kayakers, tennis players, footballers, yoga, Pilates and many other groups, offer endless enticements to reject inactivity and obesity.

Don Burns

Tuross Head

Loved the photos

I LOVED the photos and write up from out great reunion weekend at the school, but there was a mistake in the article.

Myself, Kristy Smith and Jo Druhan did the breakfast on Sunday morning for the visitors not Jo Westoll!

Jo in fact did a grand job making pizza Saturday morning instead. There’s a photo of myself and Jo Druhan on Page 6.

She’s a strong member of my team and would like her to be recognised for this!

Emma Carr

Narooma P&C president

Animals escape

AM I the last one to find out? Does everyone else know?

I only heard recently that some people nurture deer and pigs and goats.  Unfortunately it seems they often get out into our bushland, forests and National Parks thus ensuring the survival of 'feral animals' and the need for hunters.

P. deLaney

Narooma

Mayor’s say - Traffic lights and agriculture…

THE proposal to install traffic lights at the intersection of North and Perry Streets in Batemans Bay has been debated for some time and this week we are inviting everyone who has an interest in this issue to attend an information session where you can find out the facts, consider some of the options and let us know your views. 

You can come along to the Batemans Bay Community Centre in Museum Place from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday, April 2 and hear from Council’s traffic consultant who will show some traffic modelling and how many pedestrians are using this intersection regularly.

It’s interesting to note that during the school holidays in October 2011 in a 2 hour period during the day, more than 700 pedestrians crossed the roads at this intersection and around 730 vehicles travelled through it.

So please, if this is an intersection you use and you would like to have your say and help us with the decision making process, take some time to let us know. More details on council’s website.

Last week at the invitation of Peter Hendy and along with other Mayors in Eden Monaro, I met with Barnaby Joyce Minister for Agriculture.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics tells us that than in 2011, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing accounted for 340 jobs in Eurobodalla and that this had decreased since 2006 when 394 people worked in these industry sectors.

At the meeting we talked about the industry, plans and prospects for the future and in particular I raised the potential for us to grow and create new jobs in our aquaculture industry.

The meeting was a good opportunity for us to brief the Minister on issues relating to agriculture in our local government areas and make sure our communities are well represented in the governments future planning.

I think you all know where I will be this weekend – at the Narooma Oyster Festival of course!

I’ve already had a look at the program and there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy.

I hope to see many of you there enjoying the action and supporting this excellent regional event that is showcasing Narooma to the world.

If you would like to talk about any issues you believe council may be able to assist you with, please contact me via email to mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or on my mobile phone 0418 279 215.

Clr Lindsay Brown

Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire

Shark net needs work

MAY I please bring your attention to the condition of the shark net at Bar Beach.

A surprising number of local people swim there on a daily basis, and the net has needed attention for some time.

However, following the rains of the past few days, the net now appears to be broken/badly damaged.

Today, there were numerous unhappy people at Bar Beach, discussing the situation.

I cannot think it would take a great deal of effort or money to mend the net and replace the floats.

Ingrid M. Smith

Dalmeny