Should we applaud Aloha Scott for his generous decision to lease four (wow) water bombing aircraft 10 months after he chose to do nothing in the face of warnings from experienced firefighters regarding the deteriorating conditions? Too little and too late.

Like numerous other local people I have my fair share of criticism for our local Bega Valley Council.

However, with regards to the ongoing bushfires the Mayor, Kristy McBain, needs to be congratulated on her constant visibility and remarks made on social media and TV - coming across so well. We need more of her kind and let the "seniors" councillors quietly fade into retirement

To all insurance companies: We've paid our dues (literally and metaphorically). It's now your turn to do your bit. Just say: "We promised our kids to pay all fire claims in full."

I, like many others, cannot remain silent. We are in a state of crisis. This is a shameless government that does not seem to realise that their mandate is to govern us, that the taxes raised to fund them are there for them to act on our behalf. The facts put before the government time and time again are ignored and treated with contempt. This is often dismissing the advice and reports of experts, scientists and researchers in Australia and overseas. They have been warned of climate change and natural disasters for a very long time to no avail. It is not good enough to reflect on what others should have done and departmentalise responsibility. They need to govern as they have been elected to do!

Enough of the supercilious and quasi-empathetic platitudes offered us. We need a proactive movement as we launch into 2020 with no more of the same old greedy grab to fill self-interested pockets and appear to have our interests at heart. Unfortunately, the slogans don't wash and we are tired of "eating cake"! Our lives are at stake and our world is dying faster.

People have died! People have lost their livelihoods, their families and friends! If not for the wonderful volunteer firefighters, many more could have become statistics. We are not out of the woods by any means. The government, federal, state and local should start responding to the dire needs of its tax-paying constituents by directing our exorbitant funds to those who need it. The fire-fighters should be run as an essential service and remunerated accordingly. It is insulting to their valuable existence to offer piecemeal aid when it seemed politically appropriate to do so.

If not for the volunteers in Australia we would be doomed! This is not a hysterical reaction to the recent catastrophic events, but an appeal to the public to urge the powers that be, to stop being complacent and be proactive. We may need to rally together to get some much-needed results. Let's do it now - or dare I say it could be too late already for any significant change! We could attend the gallery at the next Council meeting for starters. Your response?

Regarding BVSC policy on clearing around our houses. Currently we are only permitted to clear a 20-metre buffer between our properties and the bush. Surely after the devastating situation we find ourselves in now, the council will consider amending this ridiculous policy to at least 50 metres, which is still too close.