Keep dogs on a leash to protect wildlife

This means the people of Sutherland Shire can now contribute directly to the conservation of koalas in the wild by keeping a watchful eye on how these local animals are cared for. You currently have good reason to pester politicians on behalf of koalas who will depend on well resourced scientific surveys and planning to survive into the future. Sutherland Shire Council will now have the extra impetus to prepare a koala management plan in line with the NSW government koala strategy of doubling koala numbers by 2050. Refraining from dog walking in the park is another small step to increase koala comfort.

We have submitted a detailed report to National Parks and Wildlife Service, which have responded positively. By agreement with NPWS, we are not disclosing the locations of koalas. Anyone interested can find a shorter version of the report on the website of the National Parks Association of NSW, https://npansw.org.au/ Tom Kristensen, Maianbar and Steve Anyon-Smith, Jannali

These beautiful Australian reptiles have been living in Alcheringa Reserve for at least 10 years. They had grown to a great length but were slow and unafraid of humans.

Since COVID, the waterways and parks have become much more populated, and irresponsible dog owners have let their dogs run off-leash hunting in the water.

Sadly, we have found and buried these two harmless, beautiful creatures.

The parks and reserves are there for the public, but our wildlife is not to be destroyed and hunted.

The sign at the gate asking for dogs to stay on a leash is there for a reason. Liz Bourke, Gymea Bay

I read the recent article from a concerned resident, and rightly so, about the possible promotion of Eleni Petinos MP - Member for Miranda in the Perrotett Cabinet.

I shall try to keep this brief, but seriously what HAS Eleni really done for the constituents of Miranda. We have had residents in Jannali who had to fight for their homes over a car park - people power won. We have also seen dozens and dozens of small businesses hit the wall during the most recent lockdown - where was Eleni? Never to be seen. We have seen more and more towering blocks of units be built in small streets, congesting roads, creating an eyesore, and eventually congesting the rail network.

It appears that Eleni is the 'yes' girl for the Party, but Voters will remember all this in March 2023. Eleni was voted in by the people to serve the people - NOT the Party. Bitterly disappointed in Eleni's non-performance, maybe this shows who the Party really is all about now. The Liberals have lost their way. Gaye Cameron, Sylvania

It's beyond disappointing that the local member and the liberal state govt have yet again remained true to form. Previously the Member for Jannalli and the Government thought they could simply " bulldoze & railroad", pardon the puns, local communities because they failed to gain traction on promises and infrastructure.

Now after failing to deliver an effective lasting, solution on Heathcote road, the Member for Heathcote and the very same overlords will attempt to visit a similar unviable and poorly thought out plan to Jannalli on the constituents of East Heathcote.

At some point, the local member must hopefully redirect his efforts in supplying half baked solutions to the governments non-delivered promises or admit total incompetence on their part and get out of the road.

Otherwise, the totally foreseeable and undeniable future traffic congestion of Heathcote Road and Wilson Parade will forever testify to the disgrace of the local member and the State Liberal Government. Bruce Tindale, Engadine

Well said, Peter Illsley (Leader 20/10/21) Melania Gibbons was hopeless when she was the State member for Bangor, and why the Prime Minister and the Liberal Party think she is the right choice for Hughes is hard to follow. Any contact to her office I never received a reply. Jeanette Brackstone, Bangor

I want to thank the off-duty nurse who came to my aid last Thursday after a nasty fall on Flora Street Kirrawee, outside a small park near Donald Robinson Village. The footpath on the northern side is particularly unsafe. Even though the Council has done some patch-up work recently, perhaps in response to a letter from the Village, there are many sections where significant drop-offs are on the sides of the footpath. I came to grief when my shoe went over on one such section, and I now have a very painful, fractured humerus. It is not humorous at all, and I hope the Council will undertake some serious remedial action soon. Jenny Ible, Kirrawee

Como residents fought to save the jacaranda trees at Scylla Bay Oval, Como (17/11/21), and the Council staff voiced a strong statement. The Shire Engineer, Eric Hurst, was a strident advocate for the retention of these magnificent trees. He battled with Councillors who wanted the trees removed and Town Planners who wanted them replaced with their choice of a European deciduous tree. Anyone who knew Eric Hurst (and I worked with him in the Design Office at SSC) was aware of his dogged determination to pursue an issue. He was a keen gardener and aware that jacaranda trees should not be pruned (i.e. for overhead wires) as they would bolt and destroy their natural shape. Liz Donley, Bangor

Recently, I played Rugby with my son, two grandsons and a nephew. We played for local Club, Burraneer, in a 'friendly' against the Bateaux Bay Vikings. I played under Golden oldies rules; my red shorts kept me pretty safe. The family that plays together stays together. Allan Ewings, Caringbah