MDBA socio-economic report released
Compiled by Dominic Geiger
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has recently released a report into how last year’s guide basin plan would have affected the socio-economic situations of communities if it had been implemented without review.
The report, which the MDBA describes as an “interesting retrospective on what would have been the impact of the guide on basin communities”, shows the guide could have put many irrigation dependent communities throughout the basin at risk.
A spokesperson for the MDBA said the report has allowed the organisation to provide a balanced starting point from which to approach water reform in the forthcoming Draft Basin Plan, which is due to be released later this month.
“I want to assure communities that although the report’s only just come out, the consultants worked closely with the Authority over the past few months to update us on their findings so that we could feed this information into our work on the draft.”
Among the at risk communities identified in the report are the Lachlan Shire towns of Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo.
According to the report, “[the two] towns are totally dependent on irrigated agriculture [and] there is a strong concern that reduced irrigation in the catchment will see [significant] population decline.”
“The remaining population will, to a large extent, be dependent on government support resulting in a significant level of disadvantage in the towns,” the report said.
NSW Farmers Association CEO, Matt Brand, said the report confirms the results of the Association’s own survey of basin residents.
“Our survey found one in every three farmers surveyed believe the Draft Plan could force them to exit agriculture, potentially closing the door on generations of farming history,” he said.
The Association also said it questioned how effective the report would be given the draft basin plan was due to be released at the end of this month.
“How can the community be confident the Authority will have the time to consider the findings of this report when it’s been released at the eleventh hour?” Mr Brand said.
“NSW Farmers is calling on the MDBA to heed the warnings of its own research, and work toward delivering a plan that will protect the social fabric of the Basin.
“Basin communities need a Plan that is flexible enough to adjust allocations – to farmers and the environment; to seasonal conditions.”
Tackling speeding issues
Essential Energy crews from across the Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan, Orange and Cabonne local government areas are the first in the region to participate in a new road safety workshop tackling speed on the Henry Parkes and Escort Ways.
The workshops are one of the key strategies of the regional ‘Like the back of your hand’ project which was launched in Manildra in June.
Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says the workshops were designed to provide important information about the dangers of speeding.
“We are really pleased that Essential Energy is the first business in the region to sign up their employees for these free road safety workshops.
“Workshops will be conducted with Essential Energy employees at Orange, Canowindra, Molong, Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Peak Hill, Tottenham, Trundle and Lake Cargelligo depots.
“In the past five years there have been nearly 150 crashes on the road between Condobolin, Parkes and Orange. Six people have been killed and 60 have been injured. The majority of drivers who crashed were local residents or lived in a neighbouring town. All of the crashes had speed listed as a contributing factor.
“These interactive workshops outline the various issues associated with speeding which impact on all drivers who use the Henry Parkes and Escort Ways. The workshop runs for about 30 minutes and participants are encouraged to complete a quiz which enters them into the draw for a $50 fuel voucher and gives us feedback on what they learnt.
“A copy of all workshop materials will be provided to participating business for use in future staff training and staff inductions.
“We have sent invitations to the larger businesses in the local community to also take part in the workshops. If you haven’t received an invitation but would like to host a workshop at your business please contact me on 6861 2364,” Ms Suitor said.
Essential Energy’s regional general manager, Central Western, Chas MacPhail said Essential Energy is a strong supporter of the Like the back of your hand program and was happy for the regions depot crews to participate in the road safety workshops.
“Essential Energy covers 95% of New South Wales and has over 4000 employees which results in quite a large fleet that last year alone travelled approximately 7 million kilometers, some of that on the Henry Parkes and Escort ways.
“Essential Energy’s number one priority is safety – safety of the public, our employees and the network – so involving our employees in these workshops enhances our already very strong safety culture,” Mr McPhail said.
Other project strategies include; the use of courtesy speed monitor trailers, radio advertising, a radio competition, the distribution of brochures/posters to doctor’s surgeries, roadside banners and regular media coverage.
The Like the back of your hand project is a collaboration between five regional councils along or bordering the Henry Parkes and Escort Ways, including Orange City Council, Cabonne Shire Council, Parkes Shire Council, Forbes Shire Council and Lachlan Shire Council.
Linda M Thomas- Civil Marriage Celebrant
ADVERTORIAL
With today’s busy schedules and tight finances most people are hard pressed to consider special events such as a baby’s christening or even your wedding.
But with a ceremony designed to suit your family, which can be held either at your own home or at a special location, it can be so easy.
I would love to assist you to simply and elegantly bring your special occasions to life for your family and friends.
I am a relatively local girl and daughter of Maree Stockman. I lived and worked in Condobolin for 13 years and covered a range of occupations but currently, with my husband Greg, am happily raising our three little daughters on the family farm.
I aim to provide a very professional, low cost, highly personalised service tailored to exactly suit your needs . I cover Condobolin, West Wyalong, and Lake Cargelligo and am only too happy to conduct ceremonies anywhere and at any time.
Each wedding ceremony is tailored to suit yourself and your fiancé, with most details being arranged in one meeting and then finalised through email and phone calls. Wedding rehearsals are included in the cost and I will give you a copy of the ceremony wording used on your special day for you to remember for years to come.
Baby naming ceremonies are a special moment in your child’s life for family and friends to get together and celebrate the birth and growth of a new member of the family.
A renewal of vows ceremony might be an option for you. It is a way of reaffirming your vows to each other and strengthening the bond for the years ahead. It is also a chance to have the wedding that you always wanted.
Commitment ceremonies are a way of declaring your devotion to your partner without the weight of marriage. By celebrating the commitment you have, a couple can be confident in their feelings and their future together.
Family unity ceremonies are a simple way of bringing together every member of a blended family and letting everyone know that they do have a place and are important to the new family. It can also be fantastic for adopted or foster children.
So whatever your ceremony, please ring me on (02) 6972 6253 to discuss the options and a quote to get your special occasion planning underway.
The Maids tour
Sydney’s Q Theatre Company, one of Australia’s oldest theatre, companies will tour the provocative and internationally acclaimed play ‘The Maids’ to Tottenham, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo in early August 2011.
Kicking off a three-year cultural agreement between Lachlan Shire and Penrith (in western Sydney) the tour will also feature an exhibition of work by Aboriginal artist Brook Andrew and education program for secondary schools students from the Penrith Regional Gallery.
The Maids was the first play by French literary ‘bad boy’ Jean Genet and was loosely based on the true story of two French maids, the infamous Papin sisters, Lea and Christine, who brutally murdered their boss and her daughter in Le Mans, France, in 1933.
The play was an instant international sensation, and has become legendary.
While the mistress is away, the maids will play! Domestic servants Solange and Claire are plotting to murder their mistress – Madame. Each night they play out, in increasingly macabre ways, how they might ‘do the deed’. But who dies? Is it just playacting and fantasy…… or are they indeed determined to do away with Madame? As fantasy and reality blur, the games take a deadly twist in this 1947 classic of jealousy, tension and murder.
As in all of Genet’s plays, the central theme is the struggle between authority and its victims. In The Maids this is played out as theatrical ritual, that not only reveals the maids’ hatred of the Madame’s authority, but also their self-hatred.
The Q production of this psychological, stylised and symbolic thriller will feature for the first time an all-Aboriginal cast, with Kylie Coolwell and Sharni McDermott playing Solange and Claire respectively, and Elaine Crombie as The Madame.
Renowned contemporary Aboriginal artist Brook Andrew is creating the set and costume design for The Maids. Brook is a Wiradjuri man and has exhibited to great acclaim throughout Australia and internationally. His vision for The Maids is wild.
Macabre, poetic and over the top this is most definitely not “Murder She Wrote”.
The Maids is directed by Katrina Douglas and designed by Brook Andrew, with music and soundscape by Peter Kennard, and lighting by Andrew Kinch.
Lake Cargelligo suffers high fish mortality
By Dominic Geiger
Approximately one thousand bony bream have been found dead on the banks of Lake Cargelligo over the past two weeks.
Many of the fish are still floating in the water, with a line of dead bream stretching for several hundred metres near the shore.
There are also a number of dead rats on the bank.
Though the cause of death is unknown, a NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spokesperson said the fish most likely died as a result of the cold weather and the winter mortality of bony bream.
“Conservation staff from NSW DPI have taken samples of the dead fish and water to try to determine the cause of the fish kill,” the spokesperson said.
“NSW DPI is currently awaiting the results of [these tests].”
The majority of the fish range between five and ten centimetres and have been found in the area around Frogs Hollow.
Lake Cargelligo newsagent owner, Gus Blacker, said he was surprised at DPI’s response.
“I didn’t think the weather was cold enough here to significantly lower the temperature of the lake,” he said.
“A similar thing happened a couple of years ago and we [never found out] why they were dying.”
Gus said he had reported the dying fish to DPI last Thursday however he had encountered difficulty getting in touch with someone who actually knew where Lake Cargelligo was.
“The only number I could find was for Canberra, so I called that but the person I spoke to put me through to Goulburn,” he said.
“I tried to ask [that person] to put me through to Narrandera fisheries but they put me through to Cronulla.”
Gus also said he doubted anything would be done about the rotting fish left on the banks of the lake.
“It looks as though the fish will be left to go back to nature similar to what happened with the carp when the lake dried up,” he said.
Though The Argus attempted to contact Lachlan Shire Council in regards to the cleanup, they were unable to provide a response prior to this story going to print.
Pipe dream becomes reality
By Dominic Geiger
Construction on the long awaited Merri Abba water pipeline project is set to begin in the next few weeks following Lachlan Shire Council’s approval of a tender offer from Mitchell Water Australia pty ltd.
The project, which will guarantee an emergency supply of water for residents of Lake Cargelligo, Murrin Bridge and Tullibigeal, was approved for the tender amount of $12,760,393.
Director of Technical Services at the Lachlan Shire Council, Kevin Smith, said the project would cause minimal disturbances to local residents while it was underway.
“There will be 31 kilometres of high voltage electricity line and 300 millimetre diameter pipeline laid within the Hillston Road reserve over a period of several months, however appropriate traffic control will be in place during this time,” he said.
“We estimate the pipeline will be completed in early 2012.”
General Manager of the Lachlan Shire, George Cowan, said the project was critical for preserving a water supply for the Lake Cargelligo community.
“While there is water in Lake Cargelligo at the moment, and water systems are performing very effectively, it was only 18 months ago that the lake was dry and a water supply was in jeopardy,” he said.
“This project will guarantee water for the community and that security will allow for growth to occur in local businesses.”
Blue Waters art exhibition
Lake Cargelligo’s Arts & Crafts Society is very happy with the quality of works entered in the Blue Waters Exhibition despite numbers being down slightly on last year. The cold weather seemed to keep people away from viewing the excellent exhibits that were on display, but all in all the Exhibition was successful.
Pam Brewer from Weja won the most popular vote for her Patchwork & Appliqué Quilt, the most popular vote for the challenge was won by Jeanette Manwaring of Condobolin. The Patchwork Quilt Section was won by Patti Cassidy of Harden
The Acquisitive Penrith Shire Prize was won by Cathy Hutton of Lake Cargelligo. Cathy had a very successful time also winning the Miniature and Open Drawing sections.Painting by Novice was won by Mavis Charters of Condobolin and the Lake Cargelligo Arts & Crafts Members prize was won by Wayne Mills of Condobolin. Gus Blacker of Lake Cargelligo won the Black and White Photography prize with Chris Chambers winning the Enlargement section.
The raffle, which proved to be very popular with people buying lots of tickets, was won by Sky Vagg of Griffith.
We keep trying to improve the Exhibition so if anyone has any suggestions for different sections or something different that they are interested in they are more than welcome to contact the Society with their suggestions.
We wish to thank all who helped in any way at all and most of all we thank our sponsors without whom the exhibition would not be possible.
Contributed by Lyn Golding
Mixed response to budget in LSC towns
By Dominic Geiger
The smallest towns of the Lachlan Shire have been the most vocal in their response to council’s budget in a series of public Draft Management Plan meetings over the past week.
Not breaking with tradition, Condobolin recorded the lowest attendees at its public meeting last Wednesday evening with a total of zero non councillors appearing at the council chambers to discuss the budget.
Leading the shire with the highest number of public attendees were Fifield and Tottenham, with 15 people each.
Tullibigeal was close behind, with 14 members of the public attending its Draft Management Plan meeting.
Lake Cargelligo and Burcher were at the lower end of the list, with ten and four attendees respectively.
Mayor of the Lachlan Shire, Des Manwaring, said he wasn’t surprised the meetings in the smaller towns had attracted more visitors than in Condobolin.
“It’s just always been the case,” he said.
“The smaller towns suffer from a few road problems and that brought people out, whereas in Condobolin (the roads aren’t) such an issue unless you go to the outskirts.
“In Lake Cargelligo the Merri Abba pipeline brought a few people out, as did the airport project in Tottenham.
“But roads were definitely the major issue in Fifield and Tullibigeal.”
Council revisits Lake Cargelligo walkway
By Dominic Geiger
Lachlan Shire Council has announced it is once again ready to begin consulting with local community groups on stage two of the Lake Cargelligo walkway.
The second stage of the project suffered delays due to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage finding the 2008 Lachlan Shire commissioned archaeological survey on the area to be inadequate.
The construction of the walkway was also delayed so council could place a higher focus on the Meri-Abba pipeline.
General Manager of the Lachlan Shire Council, George Cowan, said the initial archaeological survey on the walkway hadn’t addressed certain issues appropriately.
“So now we’ve got to review (the) survey and then go and consult with the local Aboriginal community as there are a number of artifacts such as middens in the area,” he said.
“The work has sat in abeyance for several months while we focused on (other projects) so council is now keen to get the work underway again.
“We will call a meeting with the relevant parties and (the project) may involve more study work.”
George said it would be impossible to predict a timeline for the completion of the walk way.
“The project has been going since stage one was begun back in 2005,” he said.
A spokesperson for the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage said the reason council’s 2008 application had been rejected was because it required more information.
“The reply was sent to Lachlan Shire council, however there was no further correspondence recorded,” the spokesperson said.
Stage two of the project will add an additional two kilometres to the existing walkway and extend the path to ‘Dead Man’s Point’.
Call for Long Day Care in Lake
By Dominic Geiger
Lachlan Shire Council has recently provided “In Principal” two land allotments for the future site of a Lake Cargelligo long day care facility.
The motion, which was carried at the recent Council meeting, means Council has verbally guaranteed the land will be available for the facility as soon as the committee behind the project is able to secure a grant for its funding.
The approved site is positioned on the corner of Conapaira and Lake Streets and is adjacent to the pool car park.
General Director of Lachlan Shire Council, George Cowen, said the two sites would be held by Council until the committee could provide the money for the project.
“We won’t be touching the land until (the committee) raises the money,” he said.
“The first thing we would do once the money was available would be to establish an organisation to run the facility and then we would move on with the project; Council will not be running this centre.”
Rebecca Keeley, member of the Lake Cargelligo Day Care Working Committee, said the establishment of the centre was important as there was a complete lack of childcare options for parents in the town who worked or studied long hours.
“There are a number of services providing childcare in town however they are not addressing the current demand,” she said.
“To date we have established that within our community we have 18 children requiring permanent care and a further 32 children requiring part time care, with 25 of these part time children requiring over 3 days per week.”
Rebecca said she knew of several examples where the lack of a long day care facility had made it incredibly difficult for Lake Cargelligo parents to study or work.
“One young mother… recently withdrew from TAFE due to the lack of child care in our community.
“Unfortunately she feels that she is being left with no option but to stay home and not increase her skills.”
Kristy Richards, working mum from Lake Cargelligo, said she had experienced difficulty finding quality childcare for the past seven years.
“I have had to approach other mothers and retired women to care for my children,” she said.
“Although I am grateful to have private childcare, I would prefer to be able to rely on a constant service with qualified staff in a safe, purpose built environment.”
Safety concerns prompt new event banner poles
By Dominic Geiger
Representatives from Lachlan Shire Council were in the main street of Condobolin last Wednesday to select a suitable place to construct new poles to hang event banners from.
The decision to create the poles as an alternative to hanging banners from opposing buildings follows safety concerns after the ‘Condo 750’ 
sign fell down and caused traffic delays two weeks ago.
The new site for the poles will be on the Western end of the shopping precinct in Bathurst Street, with one garden bed needing to be moved to provide room for the construction.
Two similar projects will also be undertaken in the towns of Lake Cargelligo and Tottenham.
Lachlan Shire General Manager, George Cowan, said all three towns had a history of supporting major local events and the construction of the banner poles would help groups promote their events more easily.
“We’ve been talking about the need for something like this for three years now,” he said.
“It’s primarily a safety thing; we’ll be keeping all the car parks and simply moving the garden bed (on the southern side of the street).”
Councillor Ray Shields said it was great to be finally getting the project completed.
“Events such as the Condo 750 are important to tourism,” he said.
“It’s essential to support them in a noticeable and safe way.”
The Condobolin Argus – 10 years old
With The Condobolin Argus’ 10th birthday nearly upon us, first week of May, it seemed appropriate for a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the issues and events that have been critical in making The Argus the influential and relevant community newspaper it is today.
With so many editions archived in the depths of the Argus library, the task of revisiting important stories and campaigns seemed daunting at first, though with much perseverance, the team at The Argus has managed to compile a fairly concise list of ten achievements it feels have been most relevant to the Lachlan Shire community.
They are (in no particular order):
Joining the battle to keep the Condobolin Agricultural Research Station up and running.
In March 2009, The Argus reported on the NSW Labor Government’s decision to close the Condobolin Agricultural Research Station (CARAS). A surge of public protest culminating in a rally in Condobolin’s main street reversed that decision.
Helping prevent the closure of Target Country in Condobolin.
In January 2003, The Argus confirmed Condobolin Target Country would remain open despite pressure to close the store. The Argus supported the store during the resulting six month trial period through a ‘shop local’ campaign.
Helping to promote the Condobolin skate park project.
The Argus has been supporting the Condobolin skate park project for a number of years. The project is finally becoming a reality with the final draft becoming available for public comment following Lachlan Shire Council Meeting on 20th April.
Supporting the RTA’s ‘Three Shires’ initiative to help reduce the region’s road toll.
This project aims to increase road safety throughout the Lachlan, Forbes and Parkes shires. Part of this project has been the wheelie bin initiative, encouraging children to decorate wheelie bins in an effort to highlight road safety. The Argus played a large role in encouraging people to take part in this project, and now also has a very happy looking bin.
Providing full yet sensitive coverage of breaking news including human tragedies.
For example on the 2nd of December 2005, a ten-seater Piper Chieftain light plane crashed on Neil Baxter’s property ‘Craig End’. Unfortunately, the incident resulted in the loss of several lives and resulted in an Australian Transport Safety Bureau inquiry. The Argus printed continuous coverage of the incident from the crash to release of the inquiry.
Coverage of natural disasters.
The Argus has been instrumental in keeping the community aware of various fires and floods which have affected the region over the past ten years. With the real time news delivery available with the internet, The Argus can now deliver information to readers as soon as natural disasters unfold. This was most recently demonstrated during the floods in Ungarie last month.
Promotion of local tourism initiatives, particularly ‘Utes in the Paddock’.
Owing to the Argus’ commitment to improving tourism in the Lachlan Shire (and perhaps due to the fact our editor is one of the artists) Utes in the Paddock has become a ‘must see’ on any visitor’s to do list. Beginning in 2007, The Utes in the Paddock Project now includes 15 ute artworks and has been nominated for a NSW Heritage and Cultural Tourism Award and People’s Choice Tourist Experience Award.
Coverage of Aboriginal issues and events in the Lachlan Shire.
The Argus has strived to help ‘close the gap’ on Indigenous inequality though a focus on providing fair and unbiased reporting on events and issues important to the Wiradjuri community. The Argus has frequently reported positively on Aboriginal tourism, educational and employment initiatives.
Promotion of major events such as the Condo 750, Tattoo, Condo B & S and our Australian Idol Shannon Noll.
The Argus has thrown its support behind various community oriented events over its ten year history. This promotion has been in the form of editorials, advertorials and extensive advertising features before, during and after events.
Support of local Charity Organisations
When major charity events and fundraisers happen in the Lachlan Shire, The Argus is always in the thick of the action, lending its promotional power to the event. Various charities and charitable organisations.
Support for Community much more than just words in a newspaper.
Born out of a large gathering of members from right across the community forming the view more could be done to promote our region, The Condobolin Argus actively pursues promotional opportunities in may different ways.
The paper looks to attract staff with high level skills and talents that offer its community additional benefits. One staff member worked tirelessly on submissions and promotion for the Professional Bull Riders event. That event attracting large crowds enhancing business for the local community. Yet another staff member successfully competed the local Show Girl promotion being awarded State Runner Up at the Royal Easter Show, thereby doing a magnificent job of promoting our region.
Focus for The Condobolin Argus is very firmly on assisting local community to promote itself, diligently managing advertisers funds to employ high level skills providing a holistic service. One portfolio sponsored by The Condobolin Argus in this way is that of ‘Community Promotions Officer’.
All of this has only been made possible by your strong support over the past ten years. Thank you for helping us to provide this service to our community.
To help your local community newspaper celebrate its 10th birthday and plan for many more, please drop on by the office at 93 Bathurst Street Condobolin during the first week of May -We’ll have some birthday cake.
Family Support hosts Youth Sports Day
By Dominic Geiger
The Family Support Centre in Condobolin hosted a Youth Sports Day on Tuesday April 12 with over 85 young people and 40 adults attending the event.
A busload of children and their guardians also drove from Lake Cargelligo to partake in the day’s activities.
The project was funded through the Federal Government’s Youth Week initiative in conjunction with Arrive Alive and Condobolin Family support.
Project Manager at the WPRD, Heather Blackley, said the day was comprised of a variety of sporing competitions.
“We set up teams so the kids could play oztag, touch footy, netball and volleyball,” she said.
“We also had a really big barbecue with lots of parents and guardians helping out.
“The idea behind the day was trying to get the two communities together and getting the kids to work and play with each other.
“It was about providing an active day of fun and entertainment and trying to puff the kids out a bit.”
Cabins help keep up with accommodation demand
By Dominic Geiger
Four new cabins were recently opened for business at the Condobolin Caravan Park with an additional four likely to be approved for construction this week.
The developments are part of Lachlan Shire Council’s push to meet increasing demand for short term accommodation around Condobolin.
The existing cabins were officially opened last Wednesday and were immediately booked out for the recent dog show held in Condobolin over the weekend.
Rob Hill, manager at the Condobolin Caravan Park, said he’d had an incredible amount of people trying to get accommodation.
“We’re more or less booked out till after the (Condobolin) show in August,” he said.
“We’ve got 80 people coming through for upgrades on the railway in the coming months and they’ll be using the cabins here and at Lake Cargelligo.”
General Manager at the Lachlan Shire Council George Cowan said one mining company had booked out the cabins for a period starting in the middle of May.
“Given the scarcity of accommodation in town the pressure has been on council to provide suitable accommodation for people,” he said.
“In addition to the cabins and (other new commercially operated accommodation) the council would like to encourage local residents who have a house for sale to consider renting it out to help alleviate the accommodation problem.”
Councillor Marg Weale, who attended the official opening of the cabins, said it was imperative new accommodation be made available as soon as possible.
“With new mines opening it’s absolutely crucial we have short term accommodation available,” she said.
“We had all the pipes and everything already in place at the caravan park; all we needed to do was put the buildings on the sites.”
The construction of the cabins at the Condobolin Caravan Park follows the creation of three similar cabins at Lake Cargelligo last month.
Carp Cull in Lake Cargelligo
By Dominic Geiger
A new carp eradication program is set to begin in Lake Cargelligo following successful trial operations both locally and in Tasmania.
The ‘Judas’ carp satellite tracking program will allow commercial fishermen to target large congregations of carp due to the pests’ tendency to form aggregations in warmer sections of the lake during winter.
I&I NSW Senior Fisheries Technician at Narrandera Fisheries Centre, Martin Asmus, said individual carp would be tagged using satellite tracking devices and then tracked until they formed a large school with other fish.
“The knowledge (gained from the electronically tagged carp’s movements) will hopefully maximise the efficiency of a commercial fisherman’s catch in terms of time and the amount of carp captured,” he said.
“I&I NSW is working closely with Lake Cargelligo Commercial fisher Keith Bell to track the movements of the electronically tagged carp.”
The new program builds on work undertaken since 2007 by a collaborative team to establish a demonstration site in the lower Lachlan catchment to trial and show-case carp control technologies developed by the Commonwealth funded Invasive Animals CRC.
Mr Asmus said it was impossible to guess at how many carp currently inhabit the Lachlan River system.
“Last September there would have been millions in Lake Cargelligo, now we believe there are tens of thousands,” he said.
“We hope to remove tonnes of carp from the lake every week with the new program.
“We’ll use the Judas system to primarily target carp in Lake Cargelligo, while using carp cages in other parts of the Lachlan.
“We have one near Condobolin at Island creek.
“These cages work based on the fact carp will jump out of the water if captured, whereas native fish won’t; the cage at the mouth of the Murray river averages about a tonne and a half per day.”
Fair Trading comes to Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo
By Dominic Geiger
Representatives from the NSW Office of Fair Trading have been out and about in Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo this week offering information on how to be a savvy consumer.
Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin said staff would also be carrying out compliance activities, business inspections and would be promoting consumer services from last Monday to April 7.
“Compliance checks benefit local consumers, lead to better business practices and promote a strong working relationship between Fair Trading and traders,” he said.
Representatives from Fair Trading also took the time to deliver information seminars to students at Condobolin High School, Lake Cargelligo High School and Lake Cargelligo TAFE
Lachlan Meurer, Acting Community Liaison Coordinator for NSW Fair Trading Western Region, said the visit was all about helping to inform students about their rights and responsibilities as consumers.
“One of the most common questions we’re asked is ‘when am I entitled to a refund?’ so we’ve been going over that a bit with the kids,” he said.
“We’ve also been covering topics like how not to get drawn in to scams, internet shopping and tenancy issues people might face.
“It’s all about teaching people how to be smart consumers; how to use their money wisely.
“At Condobolin High we spoke to year nine and ten commerce students about new consumer laws that have come in to place and what they can and can’t do as a result.
“We also covered the pros and cons of being on a plan versus pre-paid for mobile phone.
“The kids were receptive of the information and seemed very interested.”
Senior’s week at the RSL
Renowned entertainer and musician Stephen R. Cheney put on an incredible performance of contemporary and traditional Irish songs at the Condobolin RSL last Thursday.
The performance, which was part of the RSL’s Senior’s Week celebrations, saw an impressive turnout with the entire dining room filled with Seniors from as far away as Canberra.
Presenting his ‘Irish Connection’ act, Stephen wooed the crowd with soothing numbers made popular by Daniel O’Donnel and Charlie Landsborough.
Stephen said it was important to support Seniors with music they liked because the entertainment industry often left them behind.
“The music that’s popular today isn’t usually what the older generation likes to listen to, in the same way as the music they once listened to wasn’t liked by their parents and grandparents,” he said.
“This is my 6th Senior’s Week show; I usually stick to a selection of easy listening, middle of the road Irish songs.”
Brian Prothero, President of Condobolin RSL, said the performance was all part of the RSL’s contribution to Senior’s Week.
“We decided to put on a free concert for people,” he said.
“We’ve got busloads that have come in from Lake Cargelligo and Forbes for this.”
Therese Stenhouse, Day Care Coordinator at Lake Cargelligo Multi Purpose Health Services (MPHS), said the busload of people who had come from the facility were incredibly excited for the event.
“Not a lot happens in Lake Cargelligo so this is a big thing,” she said.
“The Seniors often don’t get a chance to do very much.”
Grace Wilson, who came on the bus from the Lake Cargelligo MPHS, said so far the day had been lovely.
“Everyone’s done a wonderful job getting us here,” she said.
“It’s such a big job; they’re really here to help us.
“I’m looking forward to the rest of today.”
Free bus to Trangie Sheep Update
A free bus service will be available for Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Trundle, Tullamore and Albert residents wishing to attend the upcoming Trangie Sheep Connect NSW sheep industry update on April 6.
A free barbeque will also be held on the day.
Sheep producers interested in attending the free Sheep Connect NSW Central West update at Trangie should register by calling (02) 6391 3954 or emailing sheep.connect@industry.nsw.gov.au. Those wishing to travel on the bus also need to register by calling the above number.