Christmas lights at Castle
We are delighted to report our Christmas lights display will be back this year for all to enjoy from December 6-31. The music and light show will run from 8.30-10.30pm each night dependent on the weather. Please note their will be no lights on any night it’s raining.
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We are delighted to again have the support of NAB Merimbula and Big W Bega. Merimbula Rotary is again helping us out and we offered them a 50 per cent share of any money donated, but they have most generously decided that all money raised should go to our other cause, The Children's Hospital Foundation, Sydney.
Many people have said they thought we had no lights last year because of the council dramas the previous year, but much as I wish that was the case, the real reason was much more tragic.
In September 2015 our youngest child suffered a catastrophic brain injury while a patient in Bega. We spent six months at the Children's Hospital Randwick with him and were not around last Christmas to do the lights.
We encourage everyone to come and please get out of your car so you can appreciate the fantastic job our oldest son Rian has done in programming the lights to music. Donating is totally optional, but if you do please know every cent will go to the Children's Hospital Foundation.
Mick Reynolds, Tura Beach
Goodbye Zanzibar
Ann and Brian Smith originally opened Zanzibar in 2002. Their aim was to present fine dining – this they did. Five years ago Renee and Huw took over Zanzibar and took fine dining to the hilt, gaining prestigious awards – two hats. Huw's mastery in the kitchen has been superb and Renee's front of house made a perfect double act. One can only hope for their reappearance somewhere else someday.
Betty Thompson, a happy diner
Tura Beach vegetation
Residents of Tura Beach question tactics by council directed at individual ratepayers – accused without any evidence of vandalising vegetation.
The area in question is part of the Tura Beach Headland Reserve zoned in LEP 2013 as RE1 Public Recreational Open Space.
Originally this area was grassland like at Short Point but was not maintained by council. The result has been scrubby regrowth mainly of sallow wattle including Banksias planted by ”friends of the earth” together with some eucalypts which are totally feral in an area of coastal heath.
Numerous Banksias and wattles have died through borers, white ants and storm events and for some time local residents have been requesting council clear away the unsightly dead scrub and trees. We were told the dead and unsightly scrub must not be touched, it is a habitat!
The scrub and dead vegetation is considered a fire hazard by locals, some who have experienced the fearful Canberra fires.
There is no shortage of bushland nearby as the area abuts the Bournda National Park. Following numerous meetings with council officers over a protracted period and during which RE1 zonation was never mentioned, council’s policy appears to have suddenly changed to direct confrontation.
A large metal sign has been erected directly in front of one residence stating: “THESE TREES HAVE BEEN VANDALISED”.
Without a shred of evidence, how can our councillors justify this apparent victimisation of a single resident Has Big Brother come to Tura Beach?
The sign itself is visual pollution and is more unsightly than the scrublands. Lower down the sign proudly says “This sign will remain until vegetation has regrown”.
Residents ask what has our council become? Is it a new policy to victimise individual ratepayers?
Residents ask when will council properly maintain the area as it is zoned – Recreational Open Space?