Friday, November 15, 2013 – Bendigo Weekly
Councillor acts to solve burden on Lake Tom Thumb
Action on bird row By CHRISTINE McGINN
LAKE Tom Thumb’s island bird infestation will be up for public consultation today after a failed attempt last Wednesday. Greater Bendigo council held a meeting with the Department of Environment and Primary Industries to resolve the bird infestation. Yet, no residents or key stakeholders were invited the meeting. Council Presentations and Assets director Darren Fuzzard said miscommunication led to last week’s failed consultation. Despite hiccups, Eaglehawk residents will meet on the lake with council and DEPI at 11am today to discuss the birds. Wildlife management consultant Ian Temby will attend today’s meet-
ing to give insight into managing the flock. Cr Peter Cox asked councillors to receive the residents’ petition and meet with concerned locals about the influx of protected birds at Wednesday’s council
Wary of a Lake Neangar repeat, Cr Cox said he was disappointed action had not been taken sooner. “I don’t want the issue to take years [like Lake Neangar], something needs to be done
I don’t want the issue to take years, something needs to be done now meeting. Cr Cox requested council to clean up the lake and prepare a report within one meeting. Despite previously passing two motions to host community consultation about the lake, Cr Cox said he had been given reassurance council would act. “We need to come up with a solution with all parties involved,” he said.
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now,” he said. Mr Fuzzard said council was working with DEPI to find an appropriate solution to the flock. “We still need to talk through what is needed,” he said. “DEPI wants to know what the community concerns are... and pending on that, will give an appropriate response,” he said. Yet DEPI said they
had provided council with a range of management options. Eaglehawk resident John Brook said the Tom Thumb Lake island was merely covering a mine. “There was a large digger’s hole, not very deep there. The island was put on top of the mine years ago,” he said. “There was no particular reason... it was a good idea at the time.” Council could decide to remove the man-made island providing no damage was caused to the fauna and flora. “If the island does not have any significance it could be an option. But most things happen for a significant reason though,” Mr Fuzzard said. “It is an important issue and we want to find an appropriate solution.”
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Surgery hits the mark CELEBRATING five years of patient care, Bendigo Day Surgery marked the milestone on November 11. Nursing director Sally McInerney said they were excited to celebrate their fifth birthday with balloons and cake. “It was a decorative celebration but more importantly it recognised BDS’ successes,” she said. Three hundred babies have been born through Central Victoria’s Monash In Vitro Fertilisation procedure at the clinic since 2009. The Bendigo Day Surgery was the first purpose-built IVF facility in the city. BDS anaesthetic doctor Keith Davenport and wife Olga are expecting their second IVF child after successfully having their first child, Lauren, at BDS last year. “We had a couple of goes in Auckland but when we moved to Bendigo we tried again,” he said. “With two IVF cycles at the BDS, we are lucky to be having two children out of it.” A New Zealander, Dr Davenport, said they were grateful for the local IVF services to start their family. Ms McInerney said it was important for the business to keep providing more surgeons and specialists to service the community’s needs.
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BABY BOOM: Bendigo Day Surgery anaesthestist Keith Davenport with his wife, Olga, and daughter, Lauren. Photo: BILL CONROY
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