Conditions may not have been ideal but we have been advised there was no problem with the standard of the road mix, rather it was how the work was undertaken.

We understand that there were five or six trucks on site at the same time, ready to commence the application of the road mix, when a more appropriate arrangement would have been to stagger the arrival of the trucks over a period of hours, so as to ensure that the temperature of the road mix was maintained at an optimal level as it was laid. Given the length of time that elapsed before the road mix from the last couple of trucks was actually applied to the road surface, we believe that it may have cooled to the point where it was bound to fail.

If correct, the primary cause of the problem was poor planning and execution on the part of the contractor and so we would argue the cost of rectification should be borne by the contractor, not ratepayers.

We also challenge council’s contention that there are no suitable local contractors available to undertake such roadworks.

Huw Jones and Renee Loftus of Merimbula's Zanzibar have transformed the local restaurant scene and set a standard of fine-dining not seen in the area before. A two-hatted restaurant outside a capital city is an extraordinary achievement. 

And so it was devastating to hear they will be closing next month. But the news isn't all bad; we know Zanzibar's offering deserves a superior location and I hope after a well-deserved break the couple find their business a more suitable home in town.

I'm disappointed the current landlord did not extend the lease to see out summer. Beyond the obvious gains for the business, it's a bad look for the town during our tourist season if a replacement tenant is not found. Good luck to Huw and Renee; I look forward to seeing what you come up with next. 

Thank you to the four young good Samaritans who came to my aide in the Tura Beach carpark last Thursday. I couldn't start my car, they helped with a push start and when that didn't work lent me a phone and waited until further assistance was on the way. They are assets to our community!

There is no doubt the timing of the review by IPART of the NSW local government rating system could have been better. 

However councillors’ complaints about lack of opportunity for ratepayers to be consulted, and for members of the previous council to respond, ring a little hollow after council’s general manager confirmed all councillors were given the chance to contribute to its submission to IPART.

As to the lack of opportunity for public consultation, perhaps council could explain why it didn’t make residents and ratepayers aware of the review via a media release, so they could make submissions to IPART?

While there was only one council meeting where the newly-elected council could consider and respond to IPART ahead of its October 14 deadline for final responses, the draft was released August 22, and so was available for consideration by the newly-elected councillors for two weeks between when they formally assumed office on September 28 and the council meeting held October 12. It seems both councils had adequate time to consider the issue and respond against the IPART Review timeline, but failed to afford residents and ratepayers the same opportunity.