Does the new park need safety fencing to prevent drownings? | Letters to the editor

There has been no public discussion about the council’s plans to accept an unsolicited proposal for sale of the land the council holds in trust for our community and major re-development on that land.

The Liberal-government appointed administrator Tim Overall made the decision behind closed doors at the November 23 council meeting in Bungendore.

There will be no tenders, no assessment of multiple offers and no opportunity for the public to consider what’s in the community’s long-term interests. 

Instead, a group of local developers will get a fast track to multi-million dollar profits with what the council says is a decade of re-development work. 

This once-only sale and re-development opportunity is a long way from business as usual, which the administrator is charged with overseeing.

The administrator slapped down attempts to speak about this matter at council’s December 14 meeting.

It is not at all clear why he isn’t interested in hearing from the public on the matter.

Coming on top of Tim Overall’s decision to approve the Ellerton Drive Extension in the face of substantial community opposition including a divided council, this latest effort is another slap in the face for democracy in local government.

Katrina Willis,

Queanbeyan

The council has spent a fortune to erect a fancy play area and cement steps and a platform up to the rivers edge, but I would like to suggest to them to have a safety person check out the area as there is no safety fence whatsoever going right up to and over into the river. 

This river is very deep and full of deep holes and many people have drowned in it over the years, I nearly drowned as a young girl nearby so I know the danger. 

I had to write because if some little toddler playing nearby darted towards the edge they could easily drown, it just takes a second, parents beware. 

Also there is no shade whatsoever in the area, my visiting grandkids stayed only a few minutes and returned with their mum,  because she said it was too hot for them in that scorching sun and for her also. 

There have been so many drownings this year, if we can save one life, my letter would have done it's job. 

Irena Spaits,

Queanbeyan

I have noticed many abandoned vehicles around the Canberra/Queanbeyan area, but one in particular was spotted in Queanbeyan a month ago.

My husband and I reported it to NSW police, but they showed no interest as it has ACT registration.

A call to ACT police fell on deaf ears as it was situated in NSW.

ACT motor registry were contacted, too, but apparently, it is illegal for them to call the owner to advise the whereabouts of the vehicle.

This vehicle is still there.

So, if you are the owner of a black Nissan Patrol and want to retrieve your vehicle, it is situated on Old Cooma Road between two sets of traffic lights.

That is if you haven't already received a payout from your insurance company.

With such disinterest from the authorities, no wonder insurance premiums continue to rise.

Perhaps we need a separate force with legal powers to deal with these abandoned vehicles promptly to avoid further criminal activity.

E. Broomfield, Googong