War on lake’s weeds begins
I write in regards to articles and letters to the editor about the growth of weeds on Lake Weeroona.
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Like residents and user groups, the City of Greater Bendigo is keen to see the appearance and use of the lake restored.
Staff are working to ensure this can happen as soon as possible.
There has not been a weed outbreak of this type on the lake for 10 years.
The heavy rain Greater Bendigo received last year has put added nutrients into the water that has encouraged the weed to grow.
It is a seasonal problem and a matter of fixing it as it arises, which is generally rare.
City staff met with representatives from all lake user groups prior to Christmas to discuss the issue. It was acknowledged at this meeting that there was not a specific budget to manage issues such as this.
As they do not happen often, they are not part of an annual works program.
Funding has since been reallocated and the city has made enquiries with contractors and also neighbouring councils to access the piece of machinery needed to remove the weeds.
This work will take place as soon as the machinery can be sourced.
Craig Lloyd, City of Greater Bendigo, presentation and assets director
Council’s response leaves resident unhappy
Recently I sent an email to the Bendigo council regarding unsightly overgrowth/weeds in Lipari Street, Jackass Flat.
This was my email: "In Lipari Street, Jackass Flat, many of the weeds etc along the footpath on the south side are very overgrown and disgusting. Some up to 5-foot tall.
“I have had a possible snake in my yard, as the dogs were going crazy at something in my yard and I had to bring them inside. I wasn't going to have a look as I didn't want to be harmed. This problem is not my nature strip. I would like the council to send someone out as soon as possible to clean this up."
This was the council’s response: “Thank you for your email, whilst the City of Greater Bendigo maintains the roads and much of our public open space, the City relies heavily on property owners to perform general maintenance duties on nature strips adjacent to their own properties.
“It has always been a general expectation of the City of Greater Bendigo that residents and property owners will take on responsibility of the upkeep and presentation of these strips of land as they directly impact on the upkeep and presentation of their own property and/or residence."
So, I would like to know, why do we pay rates if the council will not even follow up on this?
Why should homeowners be responsible for land that is not theirs?
It’s about time the council started to look around and show that they actually care about their city and their ratepayers.
Annette Robertson, Jackass Flat
Snouts in the trough as citizens suffer
I never ever thought I would see the day when an Australian government would declare financial war on its own citizens, but not the businesses that allegedly owe $20 billion to the tax office, another 700 of them that paid no tax, and others hiding assets in the Cayman Islands and similar destinations.
A quick perusal of our leadership shows our Prime Minster is a multi millionaire and our Deputy Prime Minister, who counts one of his closest friends Gina Rinehart – and we seriously think that they care about us?
If you fleetingly thought so this, and the recent expenses scandals, should have altered your thinking, and confirmed the bleeding obvious.
The only time we are given any thought by the LNP is at election time, but the recent furore suggests a much different set of thoughts at the next, and subsequent polls.
Meanwhile, the battle continues.