Peak Panic

Here he goes again, last week Andy Pandy enthralled parliament with his latest ravings on oil supply.  We don’t doubt that all things must come to an end but we can still recall his predictions of $2 a litre fuel by Christmas.. which Christmas Andrew?  We might also point out that a quick google of the term Peak Oil will not only give you the version AP reads from but also the flip side which clearly indicates there is sufficient oil in diverse locations and forms to supply the planet for many years to come.

If Mr McNamara so passionately believes we will reach the point where fuel is rationed and we are forced to drastically change our lifestyles for the worse to suit, why doesn’t he start giving us some answers? 

Here’s a suggestion - instead of wasting millions on dams that won’t fill, lets open a world leading research centre into alternate transportation technologies. water production & processing technology and other planet-friendly technologies right here on the Fraser Coast.

–o–

    Nancy Says Vol: 20

 

Nancy Says “A change in direction is needed now” and how right

she is. I am pleased to admit Nancy’s 99% correct, Australia’s

history and social/political system should be a mandatory part of

our education curriculum.

 

The only part of Nancy’s editorial I disagree with, is learning

Butchulla, as a child forced to learn Latin, I see no point in

learning a dead language. Chinese, Japanese, Russian etc

yes, yes, yes, any language that helps our trade and political

aspirations. But Butchulla and Latin, no way.

 

On the down side, yes there is a down side. If only Nancy felt

this way at a local government level. After all, for the electorate

to make good, sound, political decisions, they need the facts,

warts and all.  (Author: John Neve)

Strewthisback writes:

John we had a chuckle also when the learn Butchella idea was first floated however, the history of the region extends back before white fella ever set foot on the banks of the Mary.  The concept is novel and yes it does not have any real life application as such but our region’s history is important too. 

–o–

Also today we’ve had correspondence from Cy d’Oliveira - the following is a letter he presented to council this week - we’ll remind readers that these views are that of Mr d’Oliveira and we would be very happy to present the response of Council to provide you with a balanced view should they choose to do so.

Dear Mayor & Councillors, 

It has come to my attention that in the recent past, Biosolids [********** ***** ********] harvested from sewerage, has been used by local farmers as fertilizer. This material has apparently been supplied to them free of any charge! More importantly the users were not informed of the materials nature and the potential for it to be toxic!

 Will council investigate this matter? If found to be correct, will council stop the use of such material being put on local farmland?

 I wish to draw council’s attention to Biotech Laboratories (NATA approved), report No. 652214 dated 27^th November 2007. This report clearly shows the presence of

Arsenic, Cyanide, Lead and Mercury amongst other chemicals in the biosolid being used as fertilizer.

 As this material is being made, supplied and used within the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s area of control. I believe the onus is on you, to put the public’s mind at rest.

 Yours sincerely,

Cy d’Oliveira

Strewthisback writes: previous advertising by WBW claimed biosolids were safe for use on crops and further reports indicating that they have full EPA Approvals to use said biosolids in this manner.  Mr d’Oliveira’s claims are very serious and we welcome anyone involved who can provide factual data proving his claims or otherwise to get in touch.

 

Weekend Edition

Well, who would have thought a newspaper could get it all so wrong? 

We are referring to the headline “Motorpark $20,000 away”.  For the record, Fraser Coast Motorpark Inc. the group investigating the possiblity of a Driver Training & Education facility for the Fraser Coast does in fact have the required funds and the Business Case (aka Feasibility Study) is well underway.

The project will incorporate an element of Motorsports Competition but the main focus of the group is to provide a facility where young drivers can cut their teeth safely learning road skills, older drivers can brush up on theirs as well as possiblities for advanced driver training (Emergency Services, Truck Driver Training, Plant Operator Training). 

Heres the facts:

1. The Motorpark proposal is subject to it being found to be sustainable and financially sound by the business case currently being completed. 
2. The “Dundathu” site is one option but others are being considered. 
3. David Dalgleish, like several others currently involved has been passionate about the concept for quite some time, however, until the forming of Fraser Coast Motorpark Inc there has not been a professional approach to the concept rather the old school “Pass the hat around, grab a couple of mates, a few working bees later and we’ll have it” approach. 
4. The group does in fact have funding for the current phase with assistance of the former Hervey Bay and Maryborough City Councils and generous support of the Hervey Bay RSL organised through David and Mick Kruger.
5. FCMP did have state government funding knocked back 2 years ago but that was because it did not quite fit the guidelines of the funding available at the time.   A small Federal Government grant was promised by Paul Neville during the recent election campaign but as the Coalition was not re-elected these funds were not realised.
6. Currently local clubs already host quality events.  The proposal is to provide a unified site for these groups but final makeup of the proposal will depend on viability of each component.  There are currently no plans for a world class motorbike or car circuit much less V8 supercars or Superbikes that Cr Dalgleish likes to mention.

 In coming days we will put forward a few opinions of readers on the concept and we welcome any thoughts via email: bringbackstrewth@gmail.com

Here’s a thought

Audrey Robb writes:

Well, I see that the people have spoken and re-elected mostly a bunch of proven failures to the amalgamated council.

I set out below some comments by Polly Watch on 24/4/06 printed in the Tasmanian Times website:

“Will Hodgman’s press release re public service bullying is simplistic in the extreme and suggests either gullibility or stupidity on his part - or a belief that members of the public are either stupid or gullible.

“Does he really believe that governments, at all three levels, will eradicate bullying when the following processes are a feature of governments Australia-wide, including those in Tasmania?  The three levels are known for the following examples of sick culture:

1.  Non-accountability to the public at even the most basic level because governments can’t be sacked (they are just regurgitated every two to four years or so);

2.  Top officials tell lies on a daily basis and employ professional liars, otherwise known as advisors or spin professionals at great expense to the public, to cover their rear ends;

3.  Elected representatives represent their own interests immediately they are elected and refuse to acknowledge public concerns - until the next election period when there is a media fest of more lies that benefits the party that the media (and its rich advertisers) are supporting;

4.  Elected representatives are so busy in the trough that they don’t know what their paid officers are doing, and don’t care;

5.  Various levels turn a blind eye to the conduct of other levels, provided their own rorting/power games are not exposed;

6.  Practically any behaviour is possible because there are no publicly-reported monitoring or auditing processes in place and reporting mechanisms in existence are deficient and are designed to be too cumbersome to be of any use;

7.  Public money is wasted every year use to end-of-year financial year spending sprees because of deficient accounting processes;

8.  Meetings are not recorded for the public record (local government) and generally the representatives are of poor intelligence and the paid personnel are uncontrolled and belligerent;

9.  The public are shut out of the democratic process and therefore become cynical and because they feel powerless, like lab rats, they stop caring and display childish dependency on officials, which adds to the sick cycle of governance;

10.  Public servants speaking out about the sickness of all levels of government and the lack of accountability are hounded out of the service and into ill health and permanent unemployment.

“If you’re serious about effective change, Will step up to the plate and lobby for citizens initiated referendum - as Neil Robson (of Robson rotation fame) did in his time in government.

“If you’re not serious - stop writing b……. and give up posturing.”

Sound familiar?