Minister’s batty move
I congratulate the South Coast Register for not taking any part in the inaccurate and emotive reporting and condemnation of the flying-foxes at Batemans Bay. Experts have said the gathering of a large proportion of the entire species of grey-headed flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) is in response to a rare mass-flowering of spotted gums on the NSW South Coast. They say when the flowing comes to an end, the bats will disperse back to their usual roosts – and there is evidence this is now starting to happen.
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In the meanwhile, the Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt has said that he will allow any actions to be taken by Council (as far as the federal legislation is concerned) to remove the bats. This is in conflict with the protection supposedly provided by the federal EPBC Act, and recent federal policies which provide protection for this threatened species in just such a circumstance. How is he doing this? By claiming that the temporary (if very real) discomfort of some Batemans Bay residents is “a matter of national significance”.
So we have a federal minister in a caretaker government, who appears to be misusing the National Significance exemption to facilitate an action experts have recommended against; flying in the face of the legislation and policy his department is responsible for enforcing.
S. Amesbury, Tapitallee
Good on you, James
With Walsh's Hardware of Worrigee Street closing James Stewart, a former employee of the business decided to take over the business. James his family and Rob also a older employee redid the shop to a stage where it looks very attractive and organised for new and older customer like myself to shop. I would like to congratulate James on having a go and I hope local people support him on his new adventure.
G. Tearle, North Nowra
Council ignores concerns
Residents’ concerns about Woolworths constructing a store in Bomaderry fell on deaf ears when Team Gash voted against the rescission motion approving the application.
Constructing a Woolworths store at Bomaderry will impact on existing commercial centres and will hinder the progress of revitalising Nowra CBD. The construction is likely to have far-reaching impacts on the wider community because ratepayers’ money is being spent on revitalising Nowra but not on outlying towns and villages.
Woolworths expects to change people’s shopping habits and draw residents from every town north of the Shoalhaven Bridge, a large number of residents from Bomaderry and some from south of the bridge. Woolworths expect to tap into the constant flow of grey nomads coming out of Kangaroo Valley all year round, which will also impact on Nowra.
Discussions with residents from Bomaderry indicate they aren’t against having a Woolworths in Bomaderry they just consider it to be in the wrong location at the wrong time. It doesn’t meet the B5 zone objectives, they are concerned about the impact the development will have on existing shopping centres in Bomaderry, and traffic issues, the population projections are questionable and council staff recommended rejecting the project because it was contrary to the long-term existing retail structure plan.
Now only time will tell.
Cr M. Kitchener, Ulladulla
Lillian does us proud
I would like to offer a comment on this article, ‘Former Huskisson local embraces science opportunities’. It is great to see a local being promoted, congratulations to Lillian. I hold a management position at ANSTO, within the OPAL reactor itself, and I am proud that I come from the South Coast. We have some great local schools on the South Coast, with some dedicate teachers who really encourage people to strive for the best, both at home and away.