BLUE-GREEN ALGAE RED ALERT SHOULD BE WAKE-UP CALL
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“Sampling of Williams River detected elevated levels of potentially toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) above recreational red alert level near Clarence Town Caravan Park. The cyanobacteria pose a potential hazard to recreational water users and to livestock watered from river at this location.”
The river was on an amber alert stage just prior to the busy Christmas period – we may have been lucky to get through Christmas before the red alert stage was reached.
There is every possibility that these blue-green algae outbreaks may increase. This current episode is the longest time I have seen an outbreak last.
Peter Crawford, the former Healthy Rivers Commissioner, in his final report in 2003, noted:
“The community must also continue to play its role in demanding river health be kept at the forefront of government policy at the national, state and local level. Given the interactions the HRC has had with farmers, environmentalists, councils, scientists and committed agency officers through its eleven public inquiries, it remains confident that catchment communities will continue to be ever vigilant-‘people power will prevail.”
Mr Crawford’s comments on the Williams were not favourable then, in 2003, and it would appear more effort is required if we are to see a healthy Williams River.
The health of the river has continued to deteriorate since then, and we currently find ourselves in an unacceptable position.
As a community we should consider that it is the collective responsibility of all to leave the environment in the best possible condition for the many generations that will follow.
Digby Rayward, Clarence Town
DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS
As temperatures soar and reach new records all over the country, please remember that dogs should never be left in parked vehicles—which can become death traps in a matter of minutes.
Even on a mild, 25-degree day, the temperature inside a car parked in the shade can soar to between 37 and 50 degrees in minutes, and on a 30-degree day, the temperature can reach 70 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Leaving the windows cracked (or even halfway down) and/or leaving water in the vehicle will not keep animals comfortable or safe.
With only hot air to breathe, dogs can succumb to heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes, resulting in brain damage or death. Symptoms include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite and coordination, dark tongue, and vomiting.
Please, when it’s warm outside, leave animals at home. If you see a dog left in a car, have the car's owner paged at nearby stores or call 000 immediately—the dog’s life depends on it.
Ashley Fruno, Associate Director
PETA Australia
CHANGES TO ANZAC DAY ANTI-TERRORISM MEASURES
Anzac Day is not a celebration, it is a commemoration.
It is a remembrance of ALL service personnel that laid down their lives so we could live in peace and make this great country an even better place for generations to come.
These people did not lay down their lives to have gutless governments give in to other countries’ ideals to change Australia.
I am so, so pissed off with the lot of them. Federal and State.
Wayne Pritchard
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