FLAGGING THE ISSUE
I read with dismay your article of a flag for Marriage Equality. If the Wollongong City stands for being diverse, supportive and inclusive then there is no need to follow other councils in Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney, Albury and Bendigo. Is this true leadership being a follower? Rather it shows there is no equality.
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I was in Wollongong Shopping Centre on Saturday and noticed that the local business were not well supported in fact the eastern end of the CBD was closed. Flying a rainbow flag will be another reason for not supporting local businesses in the Wollongong CBD.
June Bock, Tullimbar
DON’T DUCK THE ISSUE
Illawarra Birders Inc. members were disgusted to read about the killing of Wood (Maned) Ducks at Helensburgh Pool recently. These ducks are a native Australian species and breeding season usually occurs for them between September and November each year.
Local pools will soon become busy over the summer months and we understand people’s concerns about the ducks defecating and fouling the water. We also know that ducks can be extremely territorial and can become aggressive when they feel their young are being threatened. The ducks should definitely be moved or relocated but killing them is not the answer! It is also extremely, unnecessarily cruel and inhumane to kill the ducks by drowning them.
It is extremely unlikely that the ducks will stay around once the pool is busy and if they are continuously being disturbed. Wood Ducks can definitely be relocated and it is relatively easy to do this. There are several articles online that give step by step instructions as to how this may be achieved. Wollongong Council’s website states that they will “actively work to protect our natural environment” and “demonstrate leadership, responsible planning and decision making to minimise the local and global impacts of our actions”. Unfortunately, we feel that in this particular action they have failed to do both of these things.
Council is also setting an example to members of the public that would say to many people if wildlife annoys you it is okay to kill it. We want people to appreciate and have respect for all of our wildlife. Wood Ducks are beautiful birds and are trying to use the pool as a safe haven for their ducklings. If unable to easily exit the pool the ducklings can catch pneumonia and drown but they are able to swim as soon as they hatch.
We suggest:
- The best thing council can do is to employ someone to catch and relocate the ducklings – they are not homing pigeons and will not repeatedly return to the pool – they were not there several weeks ago.
- WIRES or Wildlife Rescue group may also be able to relocate them if asked – they are native wildlife and are under direct threat of being killed if left where they are.
- Covering the pool of a night as the ducks will then have to move along – they are not likely to hang around if they cannot access the water.
- That someone repeatedly, gently scare them (make sure they are safe and will not be scared onto a road etc.) – the ducks will not want to come back if they are scared away repeatedly – they want peace.
We cannot believe Wollongong councillors would think killing the ducks was preferential to moving them on.
Michelle Rower, Conservation Officer, Illawarra Birders Inc.
NOT GIVING A RATS
What a joke this government and the legal system is, what a waste of tax payers hard earned. Who gives a rats if Barnaby Joyce's dad is a Kiwi, it didn't seem to worry anybody who your father was when they fought side by side in the wars.
Warren Fleming, Balgownie
