No: 4204 Print Post: 100002834 Thursday, February 11, 2021 Recommended Price $2.00 Inc. GST Pages: 20 Fully independent, local and yours, since 1909 thebridgenews.com.au MAKING A A CHAT SPLASH WITH... PAGE 4 PART 2: PAGE 9 WILL YOU HEED THE CALL? Join the Team – PAGE 7 2 – Thursday, February 11, 2021 | The Koondrook–Barham Bridge Letters to the Editor e: [email protected] ~ ESTABLISHED 1909 ~ PO Box 138, Barham, NSW 2732 THE KOONDROOK & BARHAM Dear Editor, generational river families, BRIDGE NEWSPAPER I looked at the calendar, that’s what it will learn. Contributors, please note: saw it was the first day of Instead, it comes up with the month and thought it these pie-eyed ideas to jus- The Koondrook-Barham Bridge welcomes any member of the public or organisation to respond to articles or SHOP 2, 5 - 9 MELLOOL STREET, must be April Fool’s Day. tify the failing Basin Plan, current affairs in the “Letters to the Editor” section: The Koondrook–Barham Bridge is your voice! PO BOX 138, BARHAM NSW 2732 That was my immedi- which was built on false Just remember that all contributors of articles or letters must have your name and current address clearly ate reaction to claims an- assumptions and poor sci- indicated at the time of submission. You can remain anonymous or go under a pseudonym for publication. PHONE: 03 5453 2057 nounced on Monday, Feb- ence. The MDBA tells us, Inform us on your submission if you wish to do so. Your details will never be disclosed. ruary 1, that the reduced “we are still seeing the im- Your submission may be edited to correct spelling or grammatical mistakes, or withheld or not published thebridgenews.com.au capacity of the Barmah pacts of legacy issues from for legal reasons. Choke is from 19th Cen- almost 200 years ago,” and To maintain the impartiality of The Bridge Newspaper: unless your submission is an unbiased media release, > GENERAL INFORMATION, ARTICLE AND tury gold mining. that, “ensuring a sustain- a name must be applied to the contribution. PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMISSIONS: The bizarre finding was able future for the river is [email protected] announced by the Murray- a mammoth undertaking crossed by a bullock dray were historically freshwa- billion taxpayer ‘carrot’ > ADVERTISING (DISPLAY / CLASSIFIED): Darling Basin Author- and it is not something that (as photos have shown). ter lakes. It conveniently to achieve it, takes prece- [email protected] ity, and it is amid growing can happen overnight.” It is also interesting that forgets evidence such as dence over peer reviewed concerns over the environ- Of course, we can’t re- the MDBA blames an ac- major Mulloway breeding > ACCOUNTS PAYABLE / ADMINISTRATION: science and common-sense mental degradation along turn the river to what it tivity from 200 years ago grounds, and shark or dol- [email protected] decision making. the Murray River from in- was like 200 years ago phin activity upstream of when it’s convenient but Maybe one day, as a na- creased flows. In fact, the because of the infrastruc- ignores history when it’s these lakes. tion, we will wake up to /koondrook barham bridge newspaper real reason for problems ture that has been built and not. For example, the Low- It is unfortunate that it the con they call a Basin with the Barmah Choke is the downstream demands, er Lakes in South Australia has reached a point where that we are trying to force especially in South Aus- were estuarine before the we find it almost impos- Plan before our food pro- Editor / Photo-journalist, too much water down our tralia. If we go back 200 barrages were constructed sible to take the MDBA duction capacities are to- Proprietor/Manager: rivers which is damag- years (or even only 100), less than a century ago. seriously. One can only tally decimated. ing the environment along we know the Murray Riv- Now, because it suits the conclude that a politically Yours faithfully, Lloyd Polkinghorne, 0427 900 670 the way. If the MDBA er was dry during times narrative, the MDBA determined flow target Peter McCallum [email protected] bothered talking to multi- of drought and could be wants to insist that they to SA, coupled with a $13 Moama, NSW Sub-Editor / Journalist: Kirstin Nicholson, 03 5453 2057 [email protected] Advertising: Fish and River Tour Alison Bohn, 0408 190 965 By Lloyd Polkinghorne Despite recent coalition MP cancel- Reception / Accounts: lations, the Shooter Fisher and Farmers Pam O’Neill, 03 5453 2057 Party appear happy to tour the region and talk constructively about solutions Production Design Manager: to the current failings and mismanage- ment of Australia’s largest water reform. Michael Douthat Robert Borsak and Mark Banasiak, both members of the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House), were in the region looking to listen to locals about DISCLAIMER protecting our river systems and restor- Any views or opinions expressed in this publication are ing ecological values. those of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Bridge, its publisher or staff. E & O. E. In what was a refreshing change, sci- ence-based, practical/tangible outcomes Published by Barham Media Trust Pty Ltd, and community involvement were at the at the Registered Office: Shop 2, 5-9 Mellool Street, Barham, NSW 2732. heart of much of the discussion. From Printed at Newsprinters Pty Ltd, river health to fish populations, open, 1 McKoy Street, West Wodonga, Victoria 3690 honest and pragmatic discussions were had. Congratulations to the attending members for their interest, knowledge and understanding of our environment, Barham Boat river system and ecology. Mark Banasiak, Robert Borsak, Judy and Garry Wilkinson. Ramp Closure Transport for NSW will soon commence repair work on the caissons at the Barham Koondrook Bridge. To cater for the launch of works barges, the Boat Ramp at Barham will be CLOSED for public use on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 7am-7pm. Please check out our amended hours during the COVID-19 crisis on Facebook. Ph: 5453 2442 KOONDROOK GENER AL STORE The Koondrook–Barham Bridge | Thursday, February 11, 2021 – 3 Public can re-attend Amelia welcomed at Council Meetings Koondrook Primary School By Ali Bohn So, when an opportunity came up has made that all the more reassuring. Gannawarra Shire Former, and now returned Barham for her to come back to her roots and “The change of pace, the smaller Council will reopen its local, Amelia Dean has joined Koon- away from the busy city life, Amelia monthly meetings to the school, being back on the river and of drook Primary School staff as the jumped at the chance. public later this month, course being close to family has been new Grade 2/3 teacher for 2021 after “It was a great experience teaching with residents able to amazing. There is such a tight knit spending the last two years teaching at in Melbourne, but I did miss the coun- attend and observe pro- community within a country school Keilor Primary School in Melbourne. try, so I’m pleased to be back,” she ceedings in-person. and you really get to know the fami- Her first teaching job since complet- told The Bridge. The first meeting to be lies, plus I have such a great little class ing her degree at Geelong University A little over a week in, and Amelia open to the public will was at Murrabit Primary School. It says she is already feeling she has so I’m really looking forward to the be the February 2021 was a special time for her, not only be- made the right choice in returning to year ahead.” Council Meeting, occur- attend, Council meet- gannawarra.vic.gov.au by cause it meant being close to her fam- - With such a disrupted year for ring on Wednesday, 17 ings will continue to 5pm the day prior to the the country. The support she has re schools in 2020, we hope all students February from 6.30pm at be livestreamed online Council Meeting; and ily in Barham but also due to the wel- ceived from staff and students since coming country school atmosphere. joining Koondrook Primary School enjoy an exciting and productive 2021. the Kerang Senior Citi- at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/ • Questions will be read zens Clubrooms, located livestream, with video of by the Mayor or Chief each meeting broadcast at 169 Boundary Street, Executive Officer. available to view anytime Kerang. “The Question Time “Council looks forward at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/ form will provide people to welcoming the public meetings.” with guidance regarding back to observe Council Residents will also have meetings, which has been the opportunity to submit how to frame questions made possible thanks to questions to Council- to ensure greater clarity the continued easing of lors, with the resumption and a sufficient response COVID-19 restrictions in of Question Time at the from Council,” Mayor Victoria,” Mayor Charlie February meeting. Gillingham said. Gillingham said. In accordance with “Please note that ques- “Limited seating will Council’s established tions from the public be available with those Governance Rules: gallery in attendance on attending required to • Questions must be the night of the Coun- adhere to the various submitted on a Question cil Meeting will not be COVIDsafe measures Time form, available on- in place. These include line at www.gsc.vic.gov. taken, with submitted providing contact details au/QuestionTime; questions which meet the upon arrival and socially • Completed Ques- criteria to be answered in distancing. tion Time forms must line with the Governance “For those unable to be emailed to council@ Rules.” A BORDER BUBBLE IS NOW IN PLACE Victorian and New South Wales border residents will be able to travel into Victoria by showing their driver’s licence or other formal photo ID, to access the services they need.