Dog owners must keep their dogs on leads

People are getting caught up in the leads falling over, getting tangled, kicking dogs Etc. I see this all the time. The owners are letting their dogs run around all over the path on the leads. People cannot get past, overtake without stepping off the path to avoid an out of control dog on a lead. Why do, especially small dog owners think they do not need to train them to walk on a lead.

We are all competing for very little space on the Esplanade? Mothers pushing prams, runners, walkers young and old are all using the walkway! But the people with their dogs on leads are causing so much anger as they have no control of the dogs. Please, dog owners, train your dogs to walk "next to you", not in front across, behind but next to you on a firm lead....not those stupid stretchy leads. It's just so dangerous to everyone around. Heaven forbid if someone crashed into your little dog and it got injured because it was not trained to walk on a lead....And crossed in front of someone using the pathway. P Wilkins, Cronulla

It's so good to have a venue to air grievances or applaud the good things in the Shire, thank you!

One letter I must comment on is from Michael Harrington, Bonnet Bay. The toilet facilities on all stations are for rail commuters only, and the public treatment of such has to be kept clean and safe by Rail employees. As a keen walker, I have been forced at times to experience the disgusting vandalism of public amenities from time to time, and don't want that extended to stations. You can't generalise, and this sometimes extends to station facilities, but if the station is unmanned, then ALL areas must be kept locked.

As to the letter by John Urch, Cronulla, I have noticed the same thing with regular cleaning of all touched surfaces on our trains. Well done, hats off to the staff taking this on to keep us as safe as possible. Lyn Pereira

While the community has been distracted with COVID-19 our State Govt. has quietly extended the lease to mine under the Woronora Dam.

Just to Make sure people understand Peabody have had their lease extended to mine under our Dam, that is the Shire's water supply.

I have heard the rationale; if they don't extend the contract, they will have to pay the company compensation. {Remember the drought}. At present Woronora Dam is losing thousands of litres of water weekly due to cracks in creek beds in the catchment area caused by longwall mining. SURPRISE! SURPRISE! We are the only city in the world to allow mining under a dam.

Regardless of paying the company compensation, you cannot put a price on water.

Shire residents contact your local member. This is our drinking water! Denise Wiltshire, Heathcote

This is the opening and last paragraph of an email I sent to the Prime Minister of Australia on January 28, 2020, as follows:

"I doubt that the death toll and the number of cases of Coronavirus are accurately being reported to the world by China. It is probably under-reported."

"Your Government should ensure the highest duty of care towards Australians, to prevent any illness or deaths due to Coronavirus."

Right now, with Australia divided into no go zones, we need a broader conversation on the management of the Novel Coronavirus, with more views being considered from thinking Australians. They are not paid by the taxpayers or media bosses.

The Australian Government failed in its "duty of care" towards all those Australians who have died, became sick, lost their jobs and savings due to COVID since he flew home the Wuhan evacuees. Joanne Jones

When I read the In Memoriam titled 'Nancy delivered big time',( In Memoriam p7 Wed May 20, 2020 issue) I realised that Nancy Taafe's hospital at Engadine was where our youngest brother was born and I recall going to visit her with my father and three siblings. At this time, our family were living in our home on Taren Point Road that my father had built-in 1928. We moved from Taren Point to Kogarah in March 1950. This brother died in a car accident in 1987. This Memoriam brought back so many memories. Aileen Trinder, Gymea

I note the article by Jeff Harte of Engadine in which he states "Bikes on footpaths and shared walkways are now a fact of life" This is quite correct but under strict conditions. Firstly riding on footpaths is only permitted for riders under 16 years of age, also adult riders supervising a child under sixteen years under tuition. Helmets must be worn at all times and cycles must be equipped with bells to attract attention for people walking. Bike tracks have now been completed in Sutherland Shire. Still, walkers must be aware as some areas are designated bike riding only, but other areas show the signage as bike and pedestrians traffic. I have had incidents of adult riders riding on footpaths without helmets and been abused by senior riders not adhering to the strict conditions. I feel that either Council Rangers police should enforce the rules. Any senior rider must ride on the road or a designated bike lane complete with a " Ding-a-ling"I feel that riders that do not adhere to the rules are a pack of dingalings. Robert May, Sutherland