Fix the levee
CONGRATULATIONS to the person or persons who called the “high river meeting” held in the town hall.
It was great to see the top level brass in Swan Hill to do it all over again.
When the river drops and the mud dries up, you will not be able to see where a single dollar, of the thousands spent, has improved anything. It is madness.
The levee built nearly 100 years ago badly needs a little help to go on keeping us safe, surely that is not too much to ask after all this time.
We do not need a whole new levee system, just a good tidy up.
We do not require thousands of dollars to be spent on a fifth survey, the previous four just used up a lot of paper and a lot of money.
We know what has to be done. About 60 to 70 per cent of the levee system can be improved at a very low cost, as places with soil beside the levy can be used by excavators. This would be a huge improvement on doing nothing.
When more money becomes available down the track, to fix the rest of the levee, soil would need to be carted in.
Swan Hill contractors have the skill and the knowledge to get it done properly, when the river is back to normal.
Many local contractors have already offered to help with time and machinery.
If you can find a State Government person that will advise on what we can do, not what we cannot do, please let me know.
Colin O’Bryan
Swan Hill
Swan Hill In full bloom
THE committee would sincerely like to thank the garden owners Mary and Joe Lockhart, Lyn and John Gadsden, Jill and Neil Brown and Nola and Kelvin Jones who willingly opened their beautiful gardens to the public at our open garden day on October 23.
With all the wet weather that has been experienced this year, the presentation of each garden proved that an immense amount of work had been done by these owners to proudly showcase their gardens.
We would also like to thank the following businesses: The Guardian for their generous advertising, 3SH and Community Radio, Andrew Peace Wines, Swan Hill Hardware and the Swan Hill Information Centre.
To the wonderful catering staff at Swan Hill District Health who made the slices, cakes and muffins, and David McCallum for his assistance and delivery of tables and chairs, we thank you very much.
Much appreciation to the many people who kindly donated plants and produce for sale at our stall.
A day such as this cannot run smoothly without the co-operation and assistance of our members, both men and women. A huge thank you. Well done everyone.
A beautiful ceramic mirror which was made and kindly donated to us by Sheryl Agg, was won by Helen Tonkin.
Lastly, we appreciate the tremendous support of garden lovers from Swan Hill and district who came along and made this such a successful day. We were so grateful the rain held off until late in the afternoon so most people were able to view all the gardens.
As a result, $8200 will be donated to Swan Hill District Health.
Suzanne Parsons
Swan Hill
Fix flood-hit roads
I’M writing to you in regards to the state of our country roads.
They were bad enough before the floods, but now the water has subsided they are in very bad need of repair.
I can understand the need to prioritise road repair, as you only have so many road crews, but to hear that both Labor and Liberal are only worried about getting the votes in cities, astounds me.
You have just seen one of the worst floods to hit regional Victoria and you seem to be lagging with the repair.
We’re not after spit and polish, we want the road open to traffic.
Put some stabilising rock down and reduce the speed. There has not been any works done on four arterial roads in my area, two weeks after flood waters have receded, people need to get to work – doctors, vets, resuming normal lives but are impeded by road closed signs.
If they travel for work, they are not covered for accidents travelling on closed roads.
The government loves to spend money on roads, only these roads don’t lead to Melbourne, they lead to the rest of Victoria.
Get off your high horse and fix the rest of Victoria.
Jim Blunden
Wycheproof
