One of the taps is at the Top Pub Commercial Hotel and the other tap at the butchers corner at JD's Meats.

Both taps are below ground level and very difficult to access and are also covered with a slab of concrete; I have managed these taps myself over the 28 years of looking after these gardens in Pambula.

After advertising to the community for help with the gardens I was happy with the response from the public; some of whom are ladies and I can't expect these ladies to move a heavy slab of concrete (on their knees) to get access to these taps.

Hence my request to council to raise the taps so they are more accessible for everyone concerned.

I did receive a phone call in June from council to let me know this work would be carried out in early July. I might add this is about one hour's work for a plumber.

I could possibly pay for it myself but being council property, this would probably be illegal.

To date nothing has been done.

After 28 years of voluntary work caring for the Pambula gardens and this is the best council can do, very disappointing to say the least.

I am considering pulling the pin - why should I bother!

Des Whitby, Pambula

Just when we thought the postal service couldn't get any worse - it has.

An ordinary letter for Barton, inner Canberra suburb posted Merimbula September 18 and delivered October 1: 14 days!

Ordinary letter for Glebe, inner Sydney suburb, posted Merimbula September 21, delivered October 1: 11 days!

This is the postal service we deplorables of the regions must endure from Australia's highest paid public servant - Ms Christine Holgate, CEO of Australia Post.

She was paid $2.7m in salary and bonuses in 2019. This year 2020 it's estimated Christine will get a $1m. bonus on top of her $1.5m. 'base salary'.

Our own Kristy, federal member, should be demanding that Christine (1) speed up our ridiculously slow snail mail, and (2) at long last provide a full licenced post office (LPO) service at Bega Shire's fastest growing location, Tura Beach 2548.

Jon Gaul, Tura Beach

New access paths welcome

Back in September 2018 member for Bega Andrew Constance announced $1.79m in funding to breathe new life into community and local sporting facilities across the Bega Valley through round two of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Part of that funding together with a contribution from council went to building all weather access tracks at Dolphin Cove and The Point Reserves leading to Tura Beach.

These new access tracks were completed in time for the October long weekend.

The North Tura Beach Residents Association (NTBRA) Inc had lobbied for their construction since 2015.

The association members are overjoyed there are finally reasonable paths where people can access the beach without passing through bogs and collecting leeches and ticks along the way.

Proof of their popularity was clearly shown over the long weekend with remarkable use by residents and visitors alike.

Chris Young, NTBRA

I just paid my first rates installment for 2020 - $580.06 - and that's for a pensioner.

It was calculated to the last cent - I paid $580 and 5c - that's right - and 5c. I was so angry at how now the rates have risen over the last three to four years, and for what?

I am still even more angry at how Bega valley Shire Council can calculate my rates so accurately to the last cent, when they cannot even stay within their own budget.

They have recorded the largest deficit in the general fund ever last year alleged to be to the tune of $14.1 million and an $8.9 million loss for the entire council.

All this without a single word of explanation, apology, whatever. No acceptance of responsibility or accountability on the part of council management or the elected council.

And apparently half of them acknowledge that they don't understand the council's finances.

Wait until (and I sincerely hope not ) they try to introduce a further impost with their "swimming pools" SRV cost debacle.

Time to wake up Bega Valley Shire ratepayers.

Eddy Stulpinas, Cobargo