The 2016 Census clearly shows that the population of Merimbula, Mirador, Pambula and Tura Beach exceeds by far the number of people located at Bega and its immediate surrounds.  Tura Beach was originally planned on a ‘village’ concept. That approach now lacks credibility with the establishment of the Woolworths complex together with Tura Beach’s considerable growth over the past 15 years.

I believe that a Bunnings outlet at Tura Beach would provide an extremely worthwhile commercial venture for the surrounding area with a recent council survey showing that it would be best located directly opposite Woolworths.  Simply put, these two establishments will clearly complement each other. 

May I also say that you can be assured that land values at Tura Beach will continue to rise very gradually even with a Bunnings outlet established here.  Buyers leaving the big smoke for a sea change lifestyle such as that at Tura Beach will very much appreciate having a Bunnings outlet locally, while also ensuring that a hospital, employment opportunities, schooling, community facilities and an airport are readily available nearby.

As a local resident, I do not want to swim in effluent. No matter how far the ocean outfall is from our shore, pumping the treated effluent is problematic.

However, if council harnesses methane gas for a power source then the plant can basically run itself.  For plants, who employ anaerobic digestion for bio solids treatment, the process of combusting digester gas to produce electricity and heat through cogeneration/CHP may provide a solution to rising operational costs. 

Regardless of the source and use, greenhouse gas emissions decrease when fossil fuels (like natural gas) are replaced by RNG, says the Environmental Protection Agency. As well, methane from rotting waste that otherwise would have been absorbed into the atmosphere is now used as a renewable energy source.   I encourage all ratepayers to contact council with their views.

On Sunday afternoon, March 18, while watering down the front area of my residence in Merimbula I became aware of the thick smoke and the fire in the otherwise clear sky. Having been taught by my grandfather and uncle being of bushman heritage my instinctive reaction to this situation kicked in.

I sighted brittle dry debris twirling in the hot and strong windy conditions and suddenly a puff of smoke appeared in the thick bushland on Berrambool Drive.

While on the phone to 000 I ran quickly to locate the actual source of the fire and requested fire trucks to attend this outbreak immediately as the wind had changed heading directly towards Yarrawood Avenue.

Fortunately two fire trucks from Eden were travelling through Merimbula heading for Tathra. They were immediately diverted to Berrambool Drive where they carefully extinguished this fire. An officer from the Merimbula Fire Station stated later to me that I saved a second catastrophe on that day by my quick reaction to 000.

The lesson that everyone should learn is: Be alert in such conditions; go outside and check. If there is smoke react and ring 000.