Council acts beyond its authorityDrifting among the ocean of documents and words considered at council’s Works and Services Committee meeting on November 10 was this astonishing recommendation, in relation to Carroll College: “The provision of a school crossing and path is against Council’s desires and should not be supported. The School was conditioned to have no pedestrian or cycling access due to the high speed environment outside the school. This should continue.”
At a time when Federal, State, local government, education and health authorities around the nation are making commendable efforts to combat obesity and improve fitness for our next generation, Eurobodalla Shire Council insists the 500 students at Carroll College must not be permitted to walk or ride bicycles to or from school.
Council relies on conditions it imposed when the Development Application for the college was approved some years ago. Although council seems to have considered George Bass Drive to be inherently unsafe, it ultimately approved construction of the college at that location.
Council appears to have attempted to divest itself of road safety considerations by transferring responsibility for the safety of students entirely to the college.
Has council overreached its authority? George Bass Drive is a public road. Pedestrians, cyclists, students all have legitimate rights to use the road.
Neither council or the college have clear authority to prevent students from using the road or to police such a restriction.
Can students be penalised, dismissed or jailed for walking, riding or crossing a public road? Can council close the college if students ignore the prohibition?
Council’s decision could have been intended to reduce its culpability if students are injured on the roadway near the college. Such a decision has feeble foundations.
So here in our magnificent open aired shire, away from the hustle, bustle and pressures of big city life, our council stands alone in denying 500 students the simple joy of walking or riding to school.
Where are our priorities?
Don Burns, Tuross Head
Camping show a beauty
The 2009 Camping and Leisure Show was the best so far.
The three arms of the Batemans Bay Rugby League Club worked well together to achieve a terrific financial result.
The Junior League Club in the barbecue tent were great, Roy, Bob, Shirley and Clive made wonderful hamburgers and egg and bacon rolls, while Jeanie and Co kept the pies, hot dogs and lollies on the go.
Upstairs, Terry Briggs and his band of merry men made salads and sandwiches, which were in huge demand. Dave Hayward and Michael Shooks manned the bar and quenched many a thirst while Peter Harvie kept the rubbish away by quietly wheeling bins to and from the rubbish hoppers.
It was a fantastic weekend and the Tigers enjoy their association with Barry Baillie and the Camping and Leisure Show committee and look forward to 2010 being a great year, both on and off the football field.
John McAlister, Batemans Bay Tigers Rugby League Football Club
Not a member
I would just like to clear up for your readers that the majority of residents of South Durras are not members of The Friends of Durras or agree with all of its policies.
I have lived in South Durras for more than 30 years and attended its original meeting, after which I decided that the organisation was not in the best interests of a young family growing up in South Durras.
My family has, over the past three decades, been active members of the Rural Fire Service, Sports Oval Management Committee, Skate Park working group, Basketball Court fundraising committee and the Durras Progress Association, which have all provided invaluable services to our community.
So please, when you read comments written by this group, remember that they are not speaking for all the residents of South Durras.
Julie Mates, Durras
No hard facts
Fishing bans in our marine park are a hypothetical solution to an imaginary problem.
There is no research showing recreational fishing is a threat to the environment.
There is no risk assessment showing recreational fishing is even a possible threat.
There is no research demonstrating fishing bans will have any beneficial effect.
The best we have for the bioregion is a few surveys in Jervis Bay Marine Park, which found no significant increase in fish stocks in so-called sanctuary zones.
Assurances from environmentalists based on the opinions of coral reef lobby groups in far away places are no substitute for competent local research.
Dave Morgan, Batemans Bay
Opera on our doorstep
Opera lovers and those willing to give opera a go should take the opportunity of travelling to the Narooma Kinema to see one or more of a series of direct opera telecasts from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
The world-class performances are in glorious HD sound and run from October to February. They include Aida, Turandot, The Tales of Hoffman, Der Rosenkavalier, Carmen, Simon Boccanegra, Hamlet and Armida, with brilliant singers such as Renee Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu and Placido Domingo.
It adds to your appreciation of the complexity of each production when you are treated to glimpses of behind-the-scenes activity and interviews with some of the wide variety of people involved, from costumed stars to extras, choreographers, directors and wardrobe designers.
The chance to access these operas has been taken up by only 10 theatres in the whole of NSW, including the heritage-style Narooma Kinema. Theatre audiences here have been slowly building up as the good news spreads.
Try it! A whole lot cheaper and more accessible than the Sydney Opera House, and very enjoyable.
Susan Cruttenden, Dalmeny
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