A heartfelt thanks for the efforts of police

Two cars were dispatched, firstly to my husband at our home. Calming and reassuring, he appreciated their manner as well as interaction. Due to the efforts of these police, any trauma, for us both was minimalised.

When these officers contacted me by phone, I found them supportive. Information relayed to me was useful. By using map facilities on my phone, I was able to identify, at least in part, my location. I was able to find my way out to a power line, eventually located with the assistance of a Police-air helicopter.

While I felt embarrassed at using up valuable resources, I do not doubt if I'd been injured, without food and water, or faced with darkness or rain these services were required.

Being in contact with an officer, we only knew as Sam, reassured that I was able to fight my way through thick scrub and get out to an open track and that I would eventually be located and able to be assisted home. There was even an offer to arrange an ambulance to check my superficial injuries and reassure still further.

I want to thank all these efforts to locate me and rectify the situation I managed to get myself into. For me, it is important to affirm efforts of police, as they go about their dangerous duties.

Karen Lethlean, Heathcote

I agree totally with Maree Jones (St George & Sutherland Shire Leader Wednesday, June 17.) when she outlines the degradation of our once beautiful Camellia Gardens since the arrival of the flying fox colony. I have written to the Leader about this and Council on several occasions, and it appears to me that the flying foxes have become far more critical than the residents - or, I venture to say, the gardens themselves.

In correspondence from Council's officer who was 'dealing' with the situation (I use that term very loosely), there is nothing they can do to remove the colony, as they are a protected species. This seems absurd, and it seems to me that they have done absolutely nothing, and have put the whole situation in the 'too hard' basket.

Before the arrival of the flying foxes, I would have been proud to take overseas visitors to the garden to show off our beautiful area. Now it's an embarrassment. Recently my UK relatives asked to visit the gardens, as they had been told about how lovely it was. They still wanted to go after being told about the bats, but, on arrival, (at the back parking area) they could smell the foul stench, and see bat droppings, so they quickly changed their mind. Most disappointing for both them and myself.

It's about time Council made a concerted effort to learn more about these creatures and set about doing something serious to deter them from this area, and force them to find alternative accommodation. As Maree Jones says, it's now somewhere to avoid taking anyone particularly vulnerable children. Put residents and visitors first. I thought we were trying to attract tourists - not drive them away.

Name and address supplied

I was saddened to read a letter (Leader 17/6) bemoaning the beautiful flying foxes living in Camellia Gardens. I have been taking family & friends to these lovely Gardens near me for many years, and for us, these lovely (and endangered) animals simply add to the experience. To hear their happy chatter, and to see them swoop across the skies at dusk and dawn is indeed marvellous and inspires a feeling of elation. I have seen no "degradation" of the Gardens of any kind, and the ducks (of which there are still huge numbers) leave just as much faecal matter around. I urge everyone to appreciate how lucky we are to have this native wildlife species at our doorstep, instead of wishing them gone. After all, they may indeed be gone from our world altogether in years to come, so please let's celebrate & delight in them while we can, and be more inclusive.

Lindi McMullin, Caringbah South

Mr Gannon, your comment "beggars belief", to use your words. How disrespectful have we non-indigenous people been towards our First Nations People over the last 232 years? We enjoy our exceptional lifestyle, thanks to what we have stolen from them. We should be totally ashamed of the living conditions they have to endure in Arnhem Land. It's time to acknowledge Australian history and make meaningful moves towards reconciliation.

Anna-Rosa Baker, Engadine

Hooray, the Gannons Road Tri-Centennial Underpass project is finished.

Geoff Todd, Caringbah

I read with horror the Sutherland Council want to change our captain Cook logo I for one like it as it is!

Living here in the Shire since 1962

I am not a racist but what about all the people who came from overseas they might as well put all of Us in it too!

Tina Kuiper, Miranda

Once upon a time, the stainless steel esplanade bins would overflow with rubbish after a particularly nice and sunny weekend, when walkers and riders flocked to our beloved beach side footpath.

For at least the past year, however, it has been consistent. Every single weekend, the bins are overflowing with rubbish, often by midday.

I find this particularly hard to accept, when two of those bins are located directly outside of Bianchini's Cafe, Elouera on the Esplanade - owned by our mayor, Carmelo Pesce.

Look closer and on any given day you'll notice at least 10-15 per cent of that rubbish is Carmelo's light blue, trademark non-recyclable coffee cups with black plastic lids.

A stiff westerly wind blew today, guiding the cups gracefully down the grassy hill into our Pacific Ocean.

If Bianchini's was instead called 'Carmelo's', would he allow this to happen outside his cafe?

Clean up your act Mr Mayor, and while you're at it, how about some public recycling bins in Cronulla? It's 2020 already.

Chris Stokes, Cronulla

Write to the editor at craig.thomson@austcommunitymedia.com.au

The NSW State Government has decided to increase water usage prices when our Sydney dam levels are low in times of drought. This is the Government's solution at times of drought when the water supply is essential to households. It follows the recent decision to shelve expansion of the Kurnell desalination plant. Some dams providing Sydney's water overflowed during heavy rains early in 2020.

The Government also reports that Sydney will need 1 million new homes by 2041. However, I have not heard of its plans to upgrade the ageing and inadequate water supply infrastructure that is urgently required now to provide for Sydney's rapidly expanding population.

Peter Clarke, Oyster Bay