In the immediate aftermath we had several visits to our rural property by Red Cross workers who brought water, food, and consolation during a difficult time.

We saved our house and most out-buildings but the rest of the property burnt really well.

This week we have received a grant from the Red Cross to help with the costs to repair damage to our water and tank systems.

The application was simple online and was dealt with in less than a week.

Our thanks to a very worthy organisation,

It appears (Eurobodalla Shire general manager) Catherine Dale and our council have medical advice that trumps that of the Prime Minister and Australia's chief medical officer, plus our state's premier and health minister. Really quite amazing.

Seriously, the federal and state's peak and qualified authorities have said now is the time to implement stage one of the COVID recovery, but Catherine Dale and our councillors say, 'no, not yet'.

It is, for me, shocking. Let's be clear, in this very difficult time for everyone, our council's duty is simple: to implement federal and state instructions, not refuse and get in the way of getting our shire on the road to recovery.

South Coast residents interested in public health issues are being encouraged to join the Eurobodalla Health Service Community Representation Committee.

The committee performs an important role in linking the community with the Eurobodalla Health Service, which includes the Batemans Bay, Moruya District Hospitals and Narooma Community Health.

The committee helps ensure the needs of the general public are heard and important decisions about planning health services are made with consideration of the ideas, viewpoints, and advice from the community.

The committee also provides opportunities to the local community to engage with local health services, through events like the annual Eurobodalla Health Expo.

The committee meets monthly and is an integral part of planning for the future health services and needs of the region's population.

Phone Renata Sheehan, Community Engagement Manager, on 0477 322 107 or email renata.sheehan@health.nsw.gov.au.

Councillor Maureen Nathan was right when she said "this very prolonged process that would drive anyone in the private sector crazy!" because no one in the private sector would have wasted so much time and effort getting down to the cost of a toilet roll holders as Cr Lindsay Brown seems to think is important. (I'll bet he still won't know this critical information when the tenders are in because they simply won't go down to such detail!)

A private enterprise would know from results of much earlier feasibility exercise and business cases if the project was economically feasible. The important question is whether the project in its current form will deliver the Gateway Development promised by the then mayor when the old bowling club was purchased.

The current proposal has no room for expansion let alone being able to provide the decent sized performance space or a replacement Olympic pool. It should be back to the drawing board to provide all the features required in two separate purpose-built buildings each with room for future expansion.