On my reckoning this would see the vessel average 20km/h for the trip, excluding the restricted speed zone downstream of Lock 11.

Already problems are created for pleasure boats (some owners call them houseboats) by inconsiderate drivers of speed boats, but these small problems will be nothing compared to the riverbank erosion, the severe buffetting by waves, and the possible damage done to private owners of these pleasure craft should the relevent authorities turn a blind eye to this matter.

There may indeed be a simple solution to this matter and I urge all non-commercial boat owners in Sunraysia to lodge complaints with their relevent councils, to lodge their complaints to NSW Maritime Authority, and to voice their concerns through the media.

This is a South Australian-originated vessel and to simply allow it to operate unabated in this area is nothing short of stupidity.

If the owners and operators of this vessel wish to operate, send them back where they came from before it’s too late. Act now.

Les Hartley,

Curlwaa

Res ident blasts Aero

Ovals road extension

My family lives between Dyar and Flora avenues and object strongly to council’s proposal to extend Dyar Avenue across the Aero Ovals.

I can assure readers this “plan” was never discussed during MRCC Community consult sessions. Rather our perference was to leave the Aero Ovals alone.

We all agreed recreational opportunities within the area should be sustainable, functional and attractive and that the precinct already featured notable public open spaces and facilities.

However, we also noted some downsides, such as the eyesore chain mesh fencing surrounding the drainage basin on the Flora-11th Street intersection, the traffic congestion on entry to the facilities and serious lapses in urban development and some not-so-clever planning to date for this zone.

These include a hotch potch of council approved developments with one-sided footpaths that randomly cross over to the other side of the road in the next stage of development and speed humps which are ugly and difficult to navigate.

Council also condoned a considerable amount of high density housing (yet to be constructed on Leicester off Flora) without preparing for the increase in traffic flow.

Surprise, surprise, the residents will enter 11th Street from Dyar Avenue making that intersection even more congested.

I presumed the recently advertised plans for the Ontario-Flora precinct would reveal plans to ease existing traffic problems on 11th Street, eg. proceed with construction of 14th Street extension which has been on the council plan for decades. Not the case.

Speaking of “long-term visions”, council did not get it right when it contructed the entry to the baseball/hockey facility, causing cars to bank up 12 deep.

We are talking of children’s lives and it’s a nightmare at peak times.

The same happens when there is a tennis tournament, traffic banks up on 11th Street and Dyar Avenue and in the midst of all the confusion are parents accessing Park for Play, Mildura’s finest asset bar none.

Contrary to MRCC and Hansen plans, residents in the precinct do not want anther traffic abomination on 11th Street.

This development will have a serious impact on the liveability of the precinct.

Leave our zone alone.

Name and address supplied

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Monday’s Sunraysia Daily, 26/10/09.