The idea was to remove the trees at my expense, use some of the trees for fence posts and the balance of the timber for firewood. The idea seemed fairly simple or so I thought, not wasting ratepayers money on the removal of these trees and being able to repair and renew my fence.

When I put this proposal to council staff, I was informed I would have to lodge a “Section 138 certificate application” and pay a fee of $257, at first I thought this was  a bit of a joke. The trees are not on my property, but council property.

Some of the trees are growing into the wire on my fence. I reckon this is bureaucracy gone absolutely bloody mad and needs some serious attention, what do councillors think of this? Is this how our council is prepared to have its ratepayers treated?

Allan George, South Pambula

Far South Coast Legacy would like to thank all the people who so generously gave their time to sell badges during our annual fundraiser. Also we would like to thank the committees of Merimbula, Pambula, Eden and Tura Beach who gave so generously. We raised $5676 and this money will be used in helping our local war veteran widows. Thank you all very much.

Far South Coast Legacy

We would like to say a big thank you to Sapphire Coast residents for their incredible support of Foodbank this winter through the Woolworths winter fundraising appeal.

With demand for food relief outstripping supply, you have significantly helped warm-up winter for some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

There has been the equivalent of more than 30 million meals donated to Foodbank by Woolworths since our partnership began in 2002. And this winter, thanks to Woolworths’ customers, that number is growing even larger, providing much needed help to some of the 3.2 million Australians who require food relief assistance each year.

By generously adding so many $2 Foodbank tokens to shopping trolleys, Sapphire Coast residents helped us reach our national goal of providing 762,948 meals to Australian families in need. Each $2 token enabled Foodbank to provide four warming meals and NSW contributed 177,884 meals.

Funds raised during the winter appeal have helped struggling families make ends meet. 

Thank you for your generosity at a time of year when families most desperately need assistance. Helping feed millions of Australians in need would not have been possible without your support.

Ben Sealey, Woolworths Merimbula, Tura Beach

It has been fantastic to see individuals, local communities and businesses united to tackle one of the worst droughts on record. 

We would like to thank everyone across the state who has taken time to support farmers, their families and others in our local communities in this terrible drought. Some areas of NSW have had a little rain, though it has hardly wet the surface.

It is going to be a long, hard road for farmers and rural communities, so it’s uplifting to see so many people sticking together and lending a hand through these tough times.

While droughts place emotional strains on people who rely on the land to make a living, farmers have been telling our volunteers that it means the world to them that so many Australians want to help out.

Financial assistance is available: farmers can go to the Country Women’s Association website and fill out a simple form: www.cwaofnsw.org.au

Judy Slatyer, Australian Red Cross, Danica Leys, CWA