Letters, February 22, 2022

Political decision

I’m guessing that whether anyone agrees or disagrees with the decision to reject the application to reopen Bird in Hand mine depends on their vested interests in the matter.

However, there is one aspect about the process that should raise concerns.

Tom Koutsantonis rejected the application despite advice from his own department that Terramin had met all their statutory obligations.

He claims that the risks are still too great.

So, the question is – are the current statutory obligation inadequate or does the Minister know something that the experts do not?

Could it be that the decision was influenced by politics rather than a proper approval process?

If that is the case, what message does it send to potential business investors?

But above all it’s important to consider that politics isn’t always on the side of the environment.

K. Stachovic, Meadows

Hills environment

AS a resident of the Hills for nearly 50 years I wish to comment on the trees in Tyalla Court, referenced in last week’s Courier.

They were planted over 40 years ago to provide a wildlife corridor and refuge for native fauna.

The trees were chosen specifically as a food source for the koala, which incidentally is an introduced species to the Hills.

In fact there is a koala in one of the trees today as I write this letter.

The trees are also home to several varieties of birds, including the black cockatoo.

It would be a shame to see any of these trees removed, as they are a valuable food source and habitat.

People are attracted to live in the Hills for the clean air and greenery, and there has been a steady denuding of the environment by “development”.

We need to live with the environment we have chosen and not modify it to our requirements or we run the risk of losing the very things that attracted us to the Hills in the first place.

Val Potts, Crafers

Care and concern

LAST Thursday I was accidentally knocked over by a car in a supermarket carpark.

Having had a stroke, I have a weakness in my left leg and consequently was unable to get up.

Then the driver (who was very apologetic), and three special ladies, were there within seconds.

They helped me get upright, escorted me to the mall and sat me down.

One lady went back to her car to get a first aid kit and then attended to my bleeding elbow.

All three of them stayed with me and then one escorted me to my car.

My injury was not serious and I was able to drive home.

Thank you so much ladies. It’s good to know that such care and concern is alive and well in Mt Barker.

Brian Pascoe, Mt Barker

Cat carnage

AT a recent cat symposium held in Perth, scientists reiterated the massive toll cats take on native animals.

The ABC news reported ANU wildlife ecologist, Professor Sarah Legge, estimated pet cats killed over 340 million native animals each year.

Professor Legge worked on The Threatened Species Recovery Hub which provided some of the first robust data on cat numbers and their impact on wildlife across Australia.

She said if it weren’t for islands and 30 fenced enclosures on the mainland there are eight species that would definitely be extinct, and that we know this because those species are not found anywhere outside the fenced areas.

We should all acknowledge the work of our own local wildlife warrior, Dr. John Wamsley, who pioneered (and built) many enclosures which are protecting these eight vulnerable species and many others as well. Full marks to Dawn Lancaster ‘Indoor cat’, in last week’s Courier, who is obviously a responsible cat owner. I’m sure she doesn’t agree with comments that keeping cats indoors leads to “obesity, heart problems, arthritis, serious anxiety disorders and diabetes”.

Ian Westley, Mylor

Return of ABC

IT is good to see that people are waking up to the truth that the ABC is no longer our impartial national taxpayer funded broadcaster.

Question time in the Parliament about the ABC comments on an Alice Springs residents meeting has clearly shown that the ABC’s own ombudsman is embarrassed by the ABC’s bias and actions.

Hopefully this is the beginning of the return to the ABC we used to respect.

Michael Phillips, Bridgewater

Wetland resourcing

I AGREE with Wetland warriors spokesperson Kym Biddell (The Courier, February 15), that there are serious weed issues at Laratinga Wetlands.

In my opinion, council staff involved in supporting volunteers and maintenance are dedicated and try hard, but there is not enough resourcing to maintain the wetlands in a satisfactory condition.

The council has extensive reserves and roadsides to maintain, and the wet spring stretched its resources.

It has an existing extensive trail network which is developing further every year into a valuable and appreciated resource.

It requires vegetation management for the high numbers of recreational users.

Trails and adjacent vegetation are cost effective recreational and biodiversity assets for the community which also attract tourists.

The Mt Barker district has a lot of natural assets, including maintenance intensive watercourses, and huge growth pressures on its natural environment.

Yet the council is behind neighboring councils in areas like employing a team of specialised biodiversity workers.

Residents will only see improvements when additional resourcing is prioritised.

Ian Grosser, Councillor, Mt Barker Council

The views above are personal and do not represent council.

Apology day

THE pros and cons regarding the January 26 being a day of national celebration are extremely complex and underline the issues which divide us.

Selecting another date for the national day of celebration is not straightforward, perhaps impossible.

When the British Government sent the First Fleet to Australia, each ship loaded with convicts and military guards, the government’s intention was to establish a penal settlement for its criminal underclass as far away from Britain as possible.

Apart from the miracle of arriving safely, the convicts, crews and military guards had nothing to celebrate. Nor, of course, did the Aboriginal people.

More than two centuries later we are debating whether or not January 26 should be a day of celebration.

Perhaps a compromise, all matters considered, would be to rename it and call it ‘Apology Day’ in recognition of all those, including First Nations people who, unknowingly and unintentionally, were the founders of this nation.

Robert Armstrong, Mt Barker

Australia Day

YOUR respondent, Derek Forsyth, The Courier, February 15, has raised uncomfortable truths we are or should be aware of.

However, he ignores the fact that all Australian born British subjects became Australians when the Nationality and Citizen Act was proclaimed on January 26, 1948, and that’s what we celebrate on Australia Day. It was not just a “whitewash” as he put it. He also refers to Aboriginal people being counted as fauna but this appears to be a well entrenched myth.

I refer you to Wikipedia, ‘Aboriginal Fauna Act Myth’.

Ronald Baker, Woodside