Personal Responsibility Missing
Great to have Waterfall Way open. Don’t hold your breath. Also great to receive a few light showers over the past week. A dry first 4 months 390 ml at Darkwood. An unusual season no heavy falls, but light falls spread over and a very humid period which kept the grass growing. A different story heading west, terribly dry with farmers unloading stock by the thousands causing the markets to fall. With the diesel thing on top not a good time to be a cocky.
A recent brain scan for my receding memory revealed a slight brain shrinkage. No surprise, I explained to the surgeon I’m a dumb farmer.
Having spent much of my life on what was once our magnificent Bellinger River, it’s incredibly distressing to compare to-day with yesteryear. Our environmental warriors have totally ignored our greatest asset, by hounding those bloody loggers and pursuing the koala fantasy, via lies and misinformation. Even with council employed river keeper, and weeds officers, what has and is getting worse is a disgrace. I refer to our non-tidal parts of the Kalang and Bellinger. I could list a number of invasive plants that have consumed many of our riparian systems. But the latest even in my lifetime, existed in the lower reaches but controlled and never a major problem is the (Castor Oil) which has been ignored and is now out of control upstream past Darkwood bridge. Just another of many problem weeds some will say. This plant (Caster Oil) is classified by the (Guinness World Records) as the world’s most poisonous common plant. The pollen has an allergy reading of 10 out of 10 and contact with plants can for some cause a severe reaction. But it’s the seeds when crushed and digested which can cause a lethal reaction for an adult4 to 8 seeds a child a smaller number can kill. The toxin is Ricon.
My suggestion is we get the finger out and off our bums to ensure the plant is prevented from spreading further upstream to consume our entire river catchment. Lack of personal responsibility downstream is now beyond control, the same old story no action until the horse has bolted.
Darcey Browning
Tribute to Mark Troy, former mayor of Bellingen Shire.
Mark Troy’s contribution to Bellingen Shire stands as one of steady leadership, deep integrity, and unwavering commitment to community. Over more than two decades of service—including twelve years as Mayor—he guided the Shire through change with a calm hand and a clear sense of purpose.
He was widely respected not only here in Bellingen but across New South Wales, where his work with the state’s peak local government bodies helped strengthen the voice of regional communities. His dedication was recognised with the Order of Australia Medal, a reflection of the impact he made far beyond our boundaries.
Mark’s legacy lives on in the culture of collaboration, civility, and community‑minded governance he helped shape. He served with humility, he listened deeply, and he always placed the wellbeing of the Shire at the centre of his decisions.
We honour his service, we remember his leadership, and we extend our gratitude to his family and all who worked alongside him. Mark was a gentleman who treated people with fairness and respect.
Caroline Joseph.
Safety Risk For Children
I am writing to raise a safety issue at the crossing point in front of the Bellingen Gelato bar to the War memorial. Today a young woman with her three small children was nearly struck by a vehicle while crossing. The car did not stop, even though the family was already in the middle of the road—it was a very close call.
This is not an isolated concern. Schoolchildren crossing at this spot often struggle to reach the other side safely before cars come around the corner or from direction Dorrigo.
There are no stop/warning signs at this location so we need an urgent addressing of this matter. Painting that crossing with zebra markings can be done in a few hours.
Brigitte Graefin von Bulow PhD, Fernmount
Aboriginal Peoples
1788 when England colonised/invaded Australia they forced Aboriginal Peoples off their hunting grounds; their water holes and stock soon destroyed the water holes for humans. They hunted down and captured Aboriginal Peoples, raping women, torturing even children and murdering men women and children, many massacres and thousands died. They put Aboriginal People on missions and stations that were on land the whites did not want and thought worthless and in many cases next to a garbage tip or cemetery, took their children away and banned their languages and culture.
I understand Aboriginal Peoples accepted the defeat but did not forget the harm and that the land was taken from them.
For many years they have welcomed us to country and shared country. What a remarkable People.
Colin Hutton, Thora
Support Your Local Garden
Great news to hear that the closing date for community submissions on the Northbank Community Garden Draft Plan of Management (PoM) has now been extended to Friday 15 May, giving residents more time to have their say on the future of this much‑loved community space. There has never been a better time for us all to focus on Food Security and strengthen our Local Food Networks. Draft-Northbank-Community-Garden-Plan-of-Management-for-Public-Exhibition.pdf(PDF, 7MB)
For nearly two decades, Northbank Community Garden has supported local food resilience, environmental stewardship and community connection. Progress under the Northbank Community Garden Strategic Plan 2024–2029 has been limited by the constraints of private ownership and the absence of a formal PoM. Now that Council owns the land, adopting the PoM is essential to gaining necessary funding to allow the NBCG to flourish.
The PoM will secure the land for community use, enable funding for security and essential repairs, support food‑growing and education programs, protect the remnant rainforest and wildlife habitat, and allow compatible micro‑enterprises that strengthen local resilience.
With the submission period extended, this is an opportunity for all residents who value local food security, sustainability and community wellbeing to write to Bellingen Shire Councillors and express their support for adopting the PoM. The closing date for community submissions on the Northbank Community Garden Draft Plan of Management (PoM) has now been extended to Friday 15 May, giving residents more time to have their say on the future of this much‑loved community space.
For nearly two decades, Northbank Community Garden has supported local food resilience, environmental stewardship and community connection. Progress under the Northbank Community Garden Strategic Plan 2024–2029 has been limited by the constraints of private ownership and the absence of a formal PoM. Now that Council owns the land, adopting the PoM is essential.
The PoM will secure the land for community use, enable funding for security and essential repairs, support food‑growing and education programs, protect the remnant rainforest and wildlife habitat, and allow compatible micro‑enterprises that strengthen local resilience.
With the submission period extended, I encourage all residents who value local food security, sustainability and community wellbeing to write to Bellingen Shire Councillors and express their support for adopting the PoM.
The approval of the PoM will allow Northbank Community Garden to move forward with long‑held plans and to make a flourishing contribution to the health and resilience of our community.
Caroline Joseph