Fears of a fatality
I am most grateful to the Milton-Ulladulla Times (Times 23/3/22) for their support in my ongoing campaign against Forestry Corporation to have critical maintenance carried out on the Old Coach Road (OCR) in Termeil. The southern section of OCR is so degraded, so overgrown, and so obviously dangerous that it requires immediate attention. For two years I have been agitating, sometimes alone, sometimes working with Fiona Phillips MP to make this road safe. Fiona even raised the matter in a speech to the parliament in Canberra last year. I've done radio interviews on ABC local Illawarra and have an email trail with Forestry Corp. as long as your arm. The result of all this effort? Nothing!
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The Forestry Corporation manager in Batemans Bay told me at one point that they had "insufficient funds" to repair the road. When I offered to try and get some funding with Fiona Phillips, my offer was ignored. To think that a public servant, sitting at a desk in the Bay, who has the power to authorise work and yet will not do so, is shameful.
I've recently assisted several motorists who have become stuck on this section of the road. One couple were in their late 70s and were very shaken up. My good friend Laurie Baxter, 84, an experienced bushman, recently managed to drive up the damaged section in his old Landcruiser. In doing so he damaged a tire beyond repair which cost $250 to replace. It's only a matter of time before a car comes to grief, and a fatality occurs. Forestry Corporation will then be faced with major litigation. Forestry Corporation are on notice.
Grant Miller, Termeil
Call to look after the planet
Conflicts all over the world can mostly be dealt with, but our biggest and most important "war" on our hands is climate change. If attention isn't immediately paid to it, we will not have a planet to live on. We all like to have a healthy body and when really ill, expect our doctors and surgeons to "fix us up", which they do.
Our planet is no different. It's very sick and needs all of us to bring it back to good health. As usual, Morrison and his government are missing in action. Obviously Morrison must think that being elsewhere photo shooting and strumming his ukulele is much more important than climate change. I congratulate the young students for standing so strongly on climate change. It takes these young guardians of tomorrow to lead the way. Just goes to show "who" the grown ups are and "who" the "kiddies are". This planet is our only home. Look after and respect it. 2040 will be too late.
Audrey Hutchison
Hospital answers sought
Regarding my letter Wednesday, March 09, 2022, where I asked, "Who is benefiting from our loss" "Where are our elected representatives" and "Please if you can, prove me wrong?" I'm talking about life and death issues, serious stuff, and when no one replies, one must ask if our politicians are moving away from reality. Bay and Basin's 34,465 people are entitled to 90 public hospital beds. Where are the beds? Milton Ulladulla people are entitled to an extra 25 public hospital beds. Where are their beds? When Nowra has 13 more public hospital beds than they are entitled to, why are they getting a $434 million upgrade to their existing hospital? For population, Illawarra should have 763 public hospital beds. Illawarra has 852 available hospital beds, 89 over their quota. Why?
Whose economy is benefitting? I calculate 89 hospital beds generate $85 million in wages alone without mentioning infrastructure, travel, accommodation, lost time from work, and ongoing health issues not being addressed. That money belongs in the Shoalhaven economy! Illawarra Area Health, how about a few less glossy artist impressions and a few more answers? And I ask where the ones we elected and those hopeful of election stand on this subject?
