Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Vol 9 No 12 December, 2011 50c
O n a i r 2 4 h o u r s a d a y 7 d a y s a w e e k
Ferry botch-up
A safe and merry Christmas to all Wagaitear readers, advertisers, contributors and supporters
It’s a kids’ Christmas
Local youngsters got into the Christmas spirit when the Wagait Beach play group or-ganised a Sunday morning crafting ses-sion for the pre-school-ers and their siblings.
Christmas decora-tions and cards were high on the list of the items produced with some inspired works that are sure to please friends and families.
Even better, the chil-dren, parents and car-ers had a great morn-ing working together.
With less than a month to go before the current Mandorah ferry contract expires, there has been no announcement who will be the new operator.
Transport Minister Gerry Mc-Carthy told the parliament last month that the Lands and Plan-ning Department had advised him it expected to finalise a con-tract in mid-December, just two weeks from the deadline.
He said negotiations were ongoing.
After initially selecting Sydney company Fast Ferries as the pre-ferred tenderer, the department announced on November 18 that it was negotiating with SeaCat
Ferries and Charters as the pre-ferred tenderer while emphasis-ing both tenders were still being considered.
A mid-December announce-ment would virtually exclude Fast Ferries from the contract.
Owner Steve Morton is baf-fled by his relegation to non-pre-ferred tenderer for the Cullen Bay-Mandorah ferry service.
There have been ongoing ru-mours and media reports about the Fast Ferries offer claiming the new operator had no vessels and would not be able to begin oper-ations on January 1.
Steve said he’d been told noth-ing concrete about why the those
responsible for the tender negoti-ations had changed their minds, although there had been an in-dication he may not have been ready to run services by the start-ing date.
“We’ve got boats in the water operating (in Queensland) so we can,” he said.
“It’s still a situation where there’s two tenderers in it (but) our boats are compliant and his gear is not compliant.”
A third larger boat that has been the subject of many of the rumours has yet to be complet-ed, he added.
Steve said he had not wanted to respond to media enquiries be-
cause it was usually a condition of any tender process and placed extra pressure on those responsi-ble for the process.
“They’ve been really good,” he said.
“But you can’t run a fair tender process this far down the track if you flick them at the highest lev-els and put your mate in.
“I didn’t want him (Gus) using my ideas, my safety system and my concepts.”
Steve has put the matter in his solicitor’s hands and expects to be taking legal action if the issue is not resolved.
Continued page 2.
2 – The Wagaitear, December 2011
Gamba grass controlAssistance is available now
www.greeningnt.nt.gov.au
Gamba grass is highly invasive and is impacting on the Top End environment. Uncontrolled gamba grass creates high fuel loads that can lead to hot, intense res that place re ghters, members of the public, and volunteers at greater risk.
Control efforts for this Wet season should start now. Assistance, including spray equipment loans and herbicide, is available to Darwin, Palmerston, Litch eld, Coomalie, Dundee and Wagait residents.
Under the Weeds Management Act 2001, landholders are required to manage gamba grass on their land.
Contact the Weed Management Branch to develop a property management plan or for more information.
Email: [email protected]: www.nt.gov.au/gambaPhone: 8999 4567
Don’t let gamba grass grow to this stage.
Control gamba grass now.
Ferry contract dustup
From page 1.The change sparked
a censure motion in the Territory parliament.
Opposition MLA John Elferink accused Attor-ney General Rob Knight and Transport Minister Gerry McCarthy “of con-spiring to corrupt the ten-der process by involving themselves in the cam-paign to get rid of the current provider with-out providing procedur-al fairness”.
During the debate, John claimed he’d been told by Wagaitear editor Jack Ellis that he (Jack) had walked out of one of the meetings in disgust and was criti-cal of Rob’s role as chair of the ministerial ferry committee.
Both claims were un-true and Jack asked John to withdraw his claims and correct the parlia-mentary records.
John went on to accuse the Government of using the community reference group, chaired by Rob, to create a tender that was outside the current pro-vider’s service.
This after he’d been told the committee’s in-put was aimed at helping improve the service and provide future ideas.
But John did correct the record and delivered a personal apology.
Shadows, string pup-pets and four very talent-ed puppeteers from Chi-ang Mai shadow puppet theatre group Wander-ing Moon combined to fascinate adults, chil-dren and their parents at the Mandorah pub last month.
A life-size small puppy had the children oblivi-ous to the strings to all parts of its body while an “Elvis” rock-n-roll figure was almost life-like.
The group’s signa-ture performance using shadow puppets on a silk screen, proved to be a fas-cinating example of a tra-ditional Thai art form.
Puppets wow all agesChildren were invited back stage at the end of the show to see where and how the magic was made.
The Wagaitear, December 2011 – 3
What’s inside …Wagait Shire report ..........................................................4Container deposit misses Wagait Beach .......................5Marine park threat to Bynoe fishing ...............................6New storm surge maps available ....................................7Fire alarm alert, letters .....................................................8Crossword and stars ........................................................9Trade and service directories ...................................10-11From the quarterdeck and tide chart ............................12
Monthly rainfall and temperatureRain last month .......................................................... 120 mmMonthly average ......................................................... 131 mmRain since October 1 .................................................. 232 mmAnnual average (Oct 1 – Sep 30) ............................. 1784 mmAverage rainfall for December.................................... 246 mmExpect it to rain on ......................................................14 daysAverage min/max temp (Darwin) .......................... 25.3/32.8ºC
Weather watch
Wagait Beach SupermarketChris, Sue and staff wish all our customers a
Merry Christmas & a happy, healthy and safe New Year
Normal trading hours over the Christmas period – closed Christmas Day
local … friendly … convenient
Fishoes support boat ramp shift
Pink sign no secret
The trouble-plagued Mando-rah boat ramp could be moved to a safe and more accessible location once the Kenbi land claim is finalised.
Settlement ofthe long-running claim was delayed again after claims of a lack of consultation.
Chris Makepeace from the Ter-ritory Amateur Fishermen’s As-sociation said the ramp had not been forgotten, despite it not ap-
pearing in an association letter to the Territory Government prais-ing a just completed four-year boat ramp upgrade program.
“Not forgotten, just temporar-ily in the too hard basket because there really isn’t any useful fix in the present location,” Chris said.
“We are waiting for a new lo-cation which in turn (like eve-rything else over your way I’d guess) is waiting for Kenbi.
“I’m pretty sure we’ll see some movement when that happens.”
The Mandorah boat ramp was built in 2003 and rebuilt in 2005 in an attempt to stop sand slting up the pavement where it passed through the rocks.
But the south-easterly winds continue to drive the chop straight into the ramp while the north-westerlies create a swell that sweeps across it.
Several people have been in-jured and boats damaged while attempting to launch or recover.
Many boat owners drive on to the rocks and sand at low tide, but the ramp is only fully acces-sible when the sea is calm and the tide is 3 m or above.
Alternative sites in Woods In-let have been put forward but ac-cess issues mean the land claim must be finalised first.
Baby boomersThree more babies have
added to the Wagait Beach population in the past six weeks, with another one ex-pected very soon.
The recent “baby boom” highlights the increasing number of younger people moving into the area.
Simon and Tash started the latest mini-population explo-sion when their first child, Mykala was born in October.
Next came Charlotte, Lisa and Phil’s third small person in the family and their second daughter.
William and Pasquale broke the string of girls with Tyson arriving on the scene in the second half of last month.
Carolyn and Rick are ex-pecting a very special Christ-mas gift around Boxing Day.
A mystery planning sign that had been the subject of all sorts of con-jecture since it appeared on Cox Peninsula Road is no longer a mystery.
Section 32 was the old PMG receiving station that relayed programs for Radio Australia be-tween Shepparton in Vic-toria and the Charles Point transmitters.
Microwave links and optic-fibre cable made the station redundant but what is now the Austral-ian Communications and Media Authority has been using part of the land as a monitoring station for some 20 years – and wish-es to continue doing so.
The land is to be subdi-vided to create a separate
4 sq km block that will be leased to authority, with the rest becoming a part of the Kenbi claim ear-marked for future free-hold development.
The Canberra-based au-thority was asked why the station needed 4 sq km of land and what it did.
Media manager Emma Rossi said the station had been in use some 20 years.
“The Cox Peninsula monitoring facility is part of the ACMA spectrum monitoring network,” Emma explained.
“The network assists manage the radio frequen-cy spectrum, and resolv-ing interference to radio communications users.”
So it’s not a spy station or a phone hacking facility.
Above: Lisa with baby Charlotte. Inset: Mykala Walford makes her appearance.
4 – The Wagaitear, December 2011
Mandorah Beach Hotel‘Your community hotel’
Trading hours for Christmas and the New YearSaturday 24th December 24 – closing at 6 pm; no dinner service
Sunday December 25 – Tuesday 27th CLOSED. Reopening Wednesday 28, 10 amSaturday 31 – closing at 6 pm; no dinner service
Sunday January 1 2012 and Monday 2 CLOSED. Reopening Tuesday January 3We extend our best wishes for the festive season and thank you for your support – Nick and Diana
Shire bid for 2-year council termsThe Wagait Shire Council is
to ask the Territory Govern-ment to reduce councillors’ terms from four years to two.
The matter was raised at last month’s meeting after discus-sion that the four-year terms had proved far too long.
Councillors served for three years under the previous Local Government Act.
Karen Duncan said she was in favour of a two-year term.
“We’ve got more chance of getting people back on a two year term, four years is too long,” she said.
Matt Prouse agreed, saying that reduced term was a good idea and could attract more peo-ple to stand for the council.
Shire president Peter Clee said the council would need an exemption for the reduced terms but wouldn’t get it unless it asked.
“The regulations say four years so if we go for doing it in March every second year it would be more likely to get up,” he said.
Darryl Withnall disagreed.“I’m fine with a four-year
term if the council was more ef-fective and had better leader-ship,” he commented.
He was the only dissenter when a vote was taken to rec-ommend the two-year term to the government.
Another suggestion that the council be reduced from seven members to five received little support and did not go to a vote.
• • • •The council is about to be-
come the proud owner of a small wood-chipping machine.
A $17 000 government grant will be used to fund the purchase.
Geoff said that although it wasn’t a large machine, the chipper would take timber up to 160 mm.
“It will use the (power take-off) on the tractor,” he said, ex-plaining the mulch would be available to local people free of charge.
Matt agreed that giving it away was a good idea because it would save the green waste from “going up in smoke” as happens at present.
• • • •The memorial garden project
has come to a halt yet again.An approach to local builder
Paul Boyle revealed the $45 000 earmarked for the project may not be enough to provide wheel-chair access, a factor overlooked in the original design.
The garden was first pro-posed in 2007 but apart from getting a government grant and allocating land on the southern side of the community centre building, so far no work has tak-en place.
“Karen Duncan expressed frustration with the ongoing delays.
“It’s a garden for god’s sake,” she said.
“Fred Gillies came up with some ideas but there was no interest.
“If we don’t do something soon we’ll have someone want-ing a cemetery again.”
Karen volunteered to check with Fred to see whether it could be possible to make a start on the project.
• • • •The council’s 3-year for-
ward plan was approved at last month’s meeting after failing to attract any comments from the public.
“I had one person come in and look at it – he said it was fine,” Geoff said.
The six councillors present ob-viously agreed and passed the plan without further comment.
• • • •
Some of the glass stockpiled at the Wagait tip.
Recycling was discussed yet again with Geoff revealing glass was being dumped in the pit to make room for … more glass.
Much of the recycling plan folded after Darwin’s major recycling company refused to take more glass.
Geoff said the issue was on hold until the container depos-it legislation came into force in the new year.
‘That’s supposed to solve it,” he said. although the council has yet to receive the details of how the system will work.
• • • •There will be a new face at this
month’s council meeting.The council had one expres-
sion of interest for the vacant councillor post and the appli-cant is expected to attend on a “come and try” basis.
• • • •
Cool response to amalgamate
suggestionThere appeared to be little
enthusiasm from Wagait Shire councillors to discuss amalgama-tion with the Darwin City Coun-cil and the Belyuen Council when the issue was raised at the coun-cil’s November meeting.
The city council is about to dis-cuss a consultant’s report on Bely-uen’s application to amalgamate with the city.
The Wagait Shire was included in the survey to canvas the possi-bility of both Cox Peninsula coun-cils joining Darwin City Council.
Shire chief executive Geoff Han-dicott said he was meeting with city council representatives and needed feedback from councillors.
“We need to set down what our interest is and what we could get out of (an amalgamation), it’s not clear,” he said.
Shire president Peter Clee agreed with Geoff’s summary.
“This plan doesn’t show any benefits for this community,” he said.
“I really think the whole report is a total waste of money, it doesn’t make any recommendations.”
Trish McIntyre also expressed concern about the report and its lack of clarity.
“This could be forced on us any-way unless we sit down and put our views to the city council,” she said.
Darryl Withnall noted that there were few positives for anyone ex-cept Belyuen residents.
Darwin City Council has called the meeting for December 6 to dis-cuss the report.
The Wagaitear, December 2011 – 5
Peninsula left out
Missing since November 9 from 49 Dalmeny Road. Clare is a much loved member of the family and we are
very concerned for her safety and her safe return
If you have seen Clare please contact 0429 793 848 or email [email protected]
Help us find Clare the Whippet
Wagait Beach could see an end shortly to the frustrating rainfall near-misses.
While Darwin and the rural areas have had regu-lar downpours in the past month, Wagait Beach re-corded just 87 mm for No-vember as the sea breeze and other weather pat-terns conspired to push the rains north, south, east and west of the west-ern Cox Peninsula.
But the Darwin Bu-reau of Meteorology has detected a change in the weather pattern that could see conditions con-ducive to the onset of the north-west monsoon in the first half of December.
A rain producing weather phenomena known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation usu-
ally occurs every 35-45 days during the wet and was predicted to affect the Territory in the week leading up to Christmas.
But it has circumnav-igated the earth in just 30 days and is heading across the Indian Ocean towards the Top End
“If this continues at the current speed, it will re-develop in early Decem-ber,” forecasters said.
“The onset of the mon-soon rains usually coin-cides with the Christmas holidays. Based on the current scenario, there is potential for an earlier on-set of the monsoon across northern Australia.”
Forecasters said La Niña conditions should peak this month and per-sist into early 2012, but not as strongly at last wet.
Rains are on the way
Two former Wagait Beach peo-ple have been accused of med-dling in the Kenbi land claim for their own personal interests.
The accusation came during a debate in the Territory parlia-ment on legislation that forms part of the Kenbi agreement be-tween the NT, Commonwealth and Northern Land Council.
Attorney General Rob Knight said Donna Odegaard and Ste-ve (Foxy) McLachlan had been “stirring the pot”.
“They are in there stirring the pot, and are continuing to do so for their own personal interest,” he said.
“I believe it is very unfortunate they have done so, because it has divided the Singh family.
“They really need to let people
get on with the business, which is supported by the wider group.”
Traditional owner Raelene Singh claimed she had not been consulted about the settlement, although she was the keynote speaker when the settlement out-line was announced in 2009.
“Obviously there are consid-erations to go through with Ray-lene,” Rob told the parliament.
“The wider Larrakia will bene-fit from this … it is a good result.”
Opposition speaker Dave Toll-ner said there was insufficient in-formation to make a judgement.
He argued it was a cover-up.“The Chief Minister has a
chance to give us some detail about what … he, Jenny Macklin and the Northern Land Council have cooked up,” he said.
Kenbi pot-stir claimWith the Territory’s container
deposit scheme due to start on January 3, it appears there may be no collection facility on the Cox Peninsula.
Both the Belyuen and Wagait councils are looking at what is in-volved in a collection facility but are unlikely to be ready in Janu-ary if they become involved.
It could mean a long haul into town or the rural area to cash in containers.
Territory Environment Minis-ter Karl Hampton said the gov-ernment wanted the foundations of a collection depot network in place when the scheme began early next year.
“We are working with poten-tial operators to get their required approvals,” he said.
“As with all container depos-it schemes, collection depots are run as businesses.
“The network of depots is ex-pected to expand as the private sector and the community grasp the business and fundraising op-portunities created by a 10 cent deposit on each container.
“The experience with South Australia is even in remote areas the community finds creative so-lutions to get their 10 cents.”
The following containers de-livered to these collection depots will attract a 10c refund: flavoured milks, fruit juices, vitamin drinks, soft drinks, water – still and spar-kling, sport drinks, iced teas, beer, stout, cider, alcoholic sodas, spirit-based beverages and some wine-based beverage containers.
6 – The Wagaitear, December 2011
Mungalo Native Plant Nursery It’s time to plant! Grevillea, Acacia gonacarpa, Elephant Ear wattle, Yellow Flame trees, Peanut trees, Foxtail palms, Desert Rose and much more ready to go into the ground
Phone 8978 5111 or call into 22 Mungalo Road to check them out
Free soft drinksat participating venues
Mitch grabs junior junior prizeMitch Murphy took out a new division in the November
Wagait Beach Fishing Club’s monthly competition. Mitch’s catch included this good looking salmon and the junior
junior award that club spokesman Michael Vaughan said was a well-deserved encouragement award. That proud
smile indicates the catch was a pretty good prize.
Mitch Murphy with his salmon – Michael Vaughan
Bynoe Harbour is one of seven areas identified by a national conserva-tion organisation as a fu-ture marine park.
The Territory’s Ama-teur Fishing Association claims the push for ma-rine parks around the north coast will close ma-jor fishing grounds to both commercial and rec-reational fishing.
The Australian Ma-rine Conservation Society says the move is essential to conserve marine stocks.
The fishing association has described it as “anti-recreational fishing, anti-commercial fishing and anti-energy resources”.
It says the no-go no-take zones would conflict with the Territory’s most significant recreational fishing areas.
“We already know that they want significant ar-eas of Bynoe Harbour closed and that’s ironic given we have only re-cently had the area closed to commercial barramun-di netting,” fishing asso-ciation president Warren de With said last month.
“Their agenda is con-trary to all available sci-entific advice.”
Bynoe fishing under threat
Cleanup team wins awardThose who participated in
this year’s Darwin Harbour big cleanup actually won a national award for their efforts.
Cleanup coordinator and SeaNet extension officer Lyn Lambeth said those involved were nominated for the 2011 Northern Territory Landcare Awards, under the Austral-ian Government Coastcare Award.
“I am pleased to inform you that we won!” she said.
“I was very happy to accept the award on behalf of you all but emphasised that this, as with many projects, has been all about partnerships.”
Two groups from Wagait Beach and a team from Be-lyuen took part in this year’s cleanup, removing many bags of rubbish and fishing debris from the area..
The Wagaitear, December 2011 – 7
Storm Surge Mapping - 2011 for Land Use Planning PurposesProperties in Weddell, Cox Peninsula, Dundee and parts of Litchfield has been identified as being affected by recent advances in storm surge mapping.
The Northern Territory Government has used new technology to update storm surge modelling and mapping to include the potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise.
The new maps use nationally accepted climate change and sea level rise predictions and internationally accepted methodology. They are based on a 0.8m sea level rise over the next 90 years.
Availability of detailed storm surge information will assist the community and decision-makers to avoid or minimise risks associated with storm surge inundation before a storm surge emergency arises.
It is important to note that Primary and Secondary Storm Surge Areas used for land use planning purposes are not the same as the estimated maximum storm surge risk areas used by emergency services in decision making during an emergency event.
The new Storm Surge Maps for Land Use Planning can be found at www.nt.gov.au/planning
The new Storm Surge Maps for Emergency Services can be found at www.nt.gov.au/nreta/water/surface/flooding/stormsurge.html
For further information regarding the new mapping please phone 8999 8963 or email [email protected]
www.growingnt.nt.gov.au
About 20 fewer Wagait Beach properties are shown as under threat from inundation in the event of a storm surge following the release of a new surge map for the Cox Peninsula.
Territory Government Lands Department officials said new technology had been used to up-date storm surge modelling and mapping.
Data used also includes the po-tential impacts of climate change and sea level rise, predicted to be 0.8 m in the next 90 years.
While some blocks formerly considered to be at risk during a storm surge have been excluded, others, especially along Erickson Crescent, have been included in the danger zone.
The availability of detailed storm surge information will help the community and emergency
workers avoid or minimise risks associated with storm surge be-fore they become a problem.
Officials emphasised that pri-mary and secondary storm surge
areas used for land use planning are not the same as the estimated maximum storm surge risk are-as used by emergency services.
The new storm surge maps for
land use planning are at www.nt.gov.au/planning
Emergency service maps are at www.nt.gov.au/nreta/water/surface/flooding/stormsurge
Changes in new storm surge maps
Key:Light grey – normal high tide
Mid grey – 1:100 year flood area Dark grey – 1:1000 year flood area
Get rid of gamba
Assistance is available at Wagait Beach to com-bat the introduced rogue weed gamba grass.
While not yet wide-spread, there are patch-es of gamba grass in the estate and on roadsides, especially Charles Point Road near the hotel and on Cox Peninsula Road.
Left uncontrolled, gam-ba fuelled fires pose a ma-jor threat to urban areas as well as to the area’s unique flora and fauna.
While gamba has been declared a class A (must be eradicated) weed in most of the Territory, it can still be grown on man-aged pastoral land in and around the Daly where it is used for cattle fodder.
Gamba grass grows rapidly to form tussocks far taller and more dense than native grass species.
These tussocks dry late in the dry season creating a fuel load between three and eight times higher than native spear grass.
In the past 20 years the resulting intense fires have dramatically altered native plant communities and severely decreased lo-cal plant biodiversity.
Gamba grass fires are also difficult to control, in-creasing the risk of signifi-cant infrastructure losses .
8 – The Wagaitear, December 2011
In an emergency …Medical – ask for duty District Medical Officer 000 or 8922 8888Wagait Beach Clinic Tuesday and Thursday 5 pm to 8 pmNT HealthDirect (medical advice) 1800 022 222Police 000, 131 444, 8988 0200 (Humpty Doo)Fire 89 785 176Power and Water 1800 245 090NT Emergency Services Cox Peninsula 000
LARRAKIA TRANSPORTSaturday bus driver required
Also relief work when available during the week Must have – or be able to get – an NT LR (light rigid) driver’s licence with an H endorsement
Phone Rocky: 0417 837 931
Only working smoke alarms save lives NT Fire and
Rescue Service
Fire and Emergency Regulations now require the installation of photoelectric smoke alarms in all Territory homes from 1 November 2011.You’re required to change to a photoelectric smoke alarm when:
• your current smoke alarm ceases to work• you sell your home• you rent out your premises or renew a tenancy• you hire out your caravan or movable dwelling.
For more information go to www.fire.nt.gov.au
Be Alarmed!
Now available at Wagait Beach. Contact Michael 0427 180 379
New regulations introduced in the Territory last month mean all Wagait Beach homes, includ-ing caravans, must have a work-ing smoke alarm.
Homes with a working ioniza-tion smoke alarm installed do not have to change to a new photo-electric smoke alarm until one of the following occurs:• the existing smoke alarm ceas-
es to work;• the property is sold;• a home (including caravans
and removable dwellings) is rented or a tenancy renewed.
NT Fire and Rescue’s Grant Hamon said a working smoke alarms in every Territory resi-dence was a very reassuring safe-ty measure.
“Although all working smoke alarms are better than nothing, the photoelectric type of alarm is strongly favoured by fire servic-es worldwide,” he said.
“They can detect smouldering fires not as quickly picked up by the ionization type of alarms.
“All those who have ioniza-tion smoke alarms are required to replace them with photoelec-tric smoke alarms when their ex-isting alarm ceases to work.
“In the instance of a tenancy change, renewed lease or sale of property, a landlord or sell-er must ensure that a working photoelectric smoke alarm is installed.”
ResidentialThe new regulations apply
to all residential and movable dwellings including caravans, as well as temporary accommoda-tion including safari-style tents. Information including the dif-
ference between ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms and what the new regulations require is available at www.fire.nt.gov.au or from Michael the sparkie.
New alarms a must for all
MANDORAH TRANSPORT
Forget the fuss – catch the bus!Available for all ‘peak-hour’ daylight
ferries or by booking the bus on:0407 325 957
Ferry fare unfairThe article in the NT News
by Nigel Adam and a letter to the editor on the same day by Bruce Coppard both suggest that some wrong has been per-petrated under the recent Man-dorah ferry tendering process, and that the only rightful heir to the service is the present incum-bent: SeaCat Ferries.
SeaCat Ferries has provided an efficient and reliable service over the past years and the crew members have been courteous, accommodating and profes-sional – sometimes under test-ing circumstances.
Against that it must also be said that the operator of the ser-vice has treated the reasonable requests from his two principal customer bases (Mandorah res-idents and the Mandorah Beach Hotel) with disdain.
The pity of this is that some of the suggestions put over the years – particularly by the op-erators of the Mandorah Beach hotel – would have certainly led to an improved service to the benefit of both commercial interests.
It would seem that Gus Withnall would prefer to trav-
el with an empty ferry than to offer any level of rational discounting.
This is perplexing given that the cost of operating a full ferry against an empty ferry is a (rel-atively) small increase in fuel consumption.
To give those who might be unaware of SeaCat fare struc-ture, the current family “con-cession” return is $67 while the full fare for two adults and two children is $69.
I have witnessed the reaction to this and other fares on the SeaCat ferry service on a num-ber of occasions over the years. Many walk away.
It has been a great pity to see this ferry service underutilised over the years I have lived in Mandorah.
We had hoped a new opera-tor would come with fresh ideas on how to increase the number of “bums on seats”, but it now seems we may be stuck with the existing operator.
If so, I trust he’s learned some-thing and will be prepared to work with his two main cus-tomer groups in future.
Phil Parker Wagait Beach
The WagaitearLetters to the editor
The Wagaitear, December 2011 – 9
Across7 Catty (6
8 Not one but two (6)9 Japanese rice wine (4)10 Bacterium that has evolved re-
sistance to drugs (8)11 Distribute loosely (7)13 Pertaining to a cone (5)15 Extremely small (5)16 One who takes the money (7)18 Fanatical patriotism (8)19 Not far distant (4)21 Young hen (6)22 A small hairpiece (6)Down1 A Greek cheese (4)2 Novelty version of the game that
made Tiger Woods famous (9,4)3 An acute and highly contagious
viral disease (7)4 Makefitforanewpurpose(5)
5 An escort for a distinguished guest (5,2,6)
6 Make lighter or brighter (8)12 A serious examination and judg-
ment (8)14 Large hairy extinct elephant (7)17 What a lopsided ship does (5)20 A narrow secluded valley (4)
Answers to last puzzle
TIFFWORDS
62
Capricorn: December 23 – January 20The storms may be easing off but your
stars show some damp stuff later in the month. A new brolly may prove very handy before your birthday. Lucky No 4.Aquarius: January 21 – February 19
Make sure you have some extra goodies on hand around the 25th. It looks like you’ll be getting unexpected guests or someone you’ve forgotten. Lucky No 9.Pisces: February 20 – March 19
Take it easy over the festive season. Your future is full of stars but it’s unclear whether they’re in your eyes or trying to escape from your head. Lucky No 25.Aries: March 20 – April 20
This is the month when even Aries people should try to be nice to everyone. Forget you are always right even when you’re not correct and just smile sweetly. Lucky No 27.Taurus April 21 – May 21
No more deep and meaningful stuff for you this month. Get into ho-ho-ho mode, forget all the bull and enjoy yourself. Lucky No 3.Gemini: May 22 – June 21
Ah, the scatterbrains of the star world. Concentrate on having a good time without getting into too much strife or wandering from the paths of righteousness. Lucky No 2.Cancer: June 22 – July 22
Put your trust in the stars was the advice for you last month. Maybe it has been a bit cloudy but persevere because your life needs a new direction. Lucky No 42.Leo: July 23 – August 23
There are some gifts coming your way that will probably wind up in the shed. The thought was there so be gracious and swap them at the next lawn sale. Lucky No 19.Virgo: August 24 – September 23
Be careful this festive season. There is a person from the past likely to come into your life and it could spell BIG TROUBLE. Lucky No 8.Libra: September 24 – October 23
No more grizzling about the buildup and the sticky weather. The monsoon is on the way so just be thankful you’re not living down south. Lucky No 34.Scorpio: October 24 – November 22
Keep your cool on Bah-Humbug day and don’t over-indulge. Spending all Boxing day squaring off and apologising is not a good way to use a day off. Lucky No 88.Sagittarius: November 23 – December 22
It’s still a way off but planning the old new year resolutions now is probably a wise move if you are going to tie one on for the last week of the month. Lucky No 5.
The WagaitearPublisher: ............................................ Jack EllisPhone: .................................................. 8978 5111 mobile: ................................................. 0417 089 528 email: .................................................... [email protected]: ........................................... monthly (first Monday)Deadline (advertising and editorial) . 25th priorPostal address: .................................. CMB 1 Wagait Beach .............................................................. via Darwin NT 0801Sold at Wagait Beach Supermarket and the Mandorah Hotel. Please note: Gus Withnall now refuses to allow the paper to be sold on board the Sea-Cat ferry.Subscriptions $1.50/edition (post paid), pdf available on-line through the NT Library web page www.ntl.nt.gov.au/collections (select online newspapers)
Wagait Beach free library – shire council office weekdays 8 am-4 pm, Saturday 9-11 am
10 – The Wagaitear, December 2011
Who does what locallyAccommodation
Lure Inn Bed and Breakfast ........................................8978 5484 Mandorah Beachside Hotel.......................................8978 5044 Wagait Beach Bush Retreat .......................................8978 5123
Airconditioner installation Michael Vaughan (MJ Electrical) ...........................0427 180 379
Block and home maintenance Mark ....................................................................0427 029 966 Matelot (Phil) .................................0412 506 999 or 8978 5372 Warren ..........................................0407 546 275 or 8978 5175
Builders Peninsula Building (Paul) ................0428 890 108 or 8978 5488 Rob Eaton ............................................................0418 894 564 Michael Collins (sheds, carports, fencing) ............0418 638 170
Boilermaker Mark (Anything Steel) .....................0411 230 918 or 8978 5466
Cleaning and ironing Helen...................................................................0432 041 771
Commissioners for Oaths Linda King ................................................................8978 5064 Rhonda Solien ..........................................................8978 5241
Concreting plant Dave .........................................................................8978 5066
Earthworks & installations: Mick & Donna .................................419 822 320 or 8978 5034
Electrical appliance testing Gary ..............................................0418 673 536 or 8978 5234
Electrical contractor Michael Vaughan (MJ Electrical) ...........................0427 180 379 Anthony Herbert (Gulf Electrical) .........................0407 716 091
Flying lessons (gyrocopter) Max .....................................................................0418 856 143
Jewellery Michelle ...............................................................0428 852082
Meat supplies Matt & Lil (Meat Direct) .......................................0416 942 519
Minibus Ian or Rocky (Mandorah Transport) .......................0407 325 957
Native plant nursery Chris and Jack ...........................................................8978 5111
Pest control Pest Off – Andi Russell ......................0488 520 029 8978 5141
Plastering Michael Milton .........................................................8978 5126
Printing and publishing Wagaitear ......................................0417 089 528 or 8978 5111
Property conveyancing Trish McIntyre ....................................8981 6733 or 8978 5237
Real estate Steve Cannizzaro ...........................0407 587 046 or 8978 5003
Supermarket & hardware Chris, Sue and the team ............................................8978 5008
Taxi truck Mark ....................................................................0427 029 966
Water deliveries Mick & Donna ..............................0419 822 320 or 8978 5034 Mark ....................................................................0427 029 966
Welding and metalwork Rick .....................................................................0404 656 270Who does what is a free service to Cox Peninsula businesses.
To be included call 8978 5111 or email [email protected]
Trades and services
Now at 2/29 Rossiter St Rapid Creekor from the Wagait Beach Supermarket
Top quality bulk meat from Matt & Lil Ph: 8985 5233 Fax: 8948 0634
MATELOTPhil ‘I’ll cut your grass’ Parker
For all your needs including: lawn mowing, brushcutting, chainsaw work,
yard clearing, general yard cleanup, gutter cleaning
Reasonable ratesPhone: 8978 5372 or 0412 506 999
If unattended (or unheard) please leave a message and I will return your call. ABN 37 199 580 163
The Wagaitear, December 2011 – 11
Chads ExpressServicing Wagait Beach
& Mandorah every Wednesday
Ph: 8981 0533 Fax 8941 7466
ABN 30 098 962 504
ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING?Licensed Real Estate Agents
153 Mitchell Street, Larrakeyah NT 0820PO Box 2194, Parap NT 0804
phone: 8982 8282 fax: 8941 2315
www.alliancerealty.com.au
For professional advice and information relative to WAGAIT BEACH, please contact me
Ron ‘Mussy’ Shaw0410 064 775
Mark’s Rural Services• Slashing & spraying• Post/plant holes 22 cm/45 cm (9”/18”)• 4-in-1 bucket & backhoe• Taxi truck 5 m tray – 8 m lengths on racks –
back-load rates• 5000 litre water delivery any time $45• Tractor and operator $85/hrPh 0427 029 966 or text if no answer
DARWIN CARPETS & VINYLSNow at 91 Coonawarra Road Winnellie
For all your floor covering needsCarpet, vinyl, planks, marine carpet, artificial grass
Local installation and quotes now availableTrevor and Sally Edwards
Ph 8947 2077 Fax 8947 2311 Mob 0412 484 976
Wagaitear trades and servicesWagaitear trades and services
Simplicity Funerals NT✭ Dignified funerals for all nationalities at competitive prices✭ Cremations and burials arranged by professional Funeral
Directors✭ Churches, private venues or large air-conditioned chapel✭ Obligation free pre-planning & pre-arrangements
Phone 8941 1633 at any time 6 Presley St, Stuart Park
HUMPTY DOO PLUMBINGSelf-certifying plumber and drainer
General Plumbing Contractors
GREG KEOGHGood rates – great service
Phone & Fax: 8988 2093 0408 898 491 or 0419 820 733
MJ ElectricalElectrical Contractor
Michael VaughanAll classes of electrical installations,
maintenance and repair. Licence C1502 Licensed split system installer L061106
Phone 0427 180 379 Fax: 8988 2093
12 – The Wagaitear, December 2011
from the quarterdeck …with the Admiral
ACROSS
THE
HARBOUR
Darwin Harbour tide times for December
Fishoes who enjoy dropping a line at One- and Two-Fella creeks need to be a lot more aware of the lumpy lizards with big teeth.
One local couple believe their dog may have become a victim while fishing Two-Fella at night and the government croc catch-ers are keeping a close watch on the trap positioned in the creek.
• • • •DeLissa Drive residents got
a surprise when an unexpected Sunday visitor just “dropped in”.
Gyrocopter enthusiast Trevor Gargan was not confident all was well with the engine and decided to make an emergency landing on the road.
Trevor emerged wide-eyed but unhurt and with the aircraft undamaged, enthusiastically ac-cepting an offer from onlookers of a cool beverage to settle the nerves.
The machine was taxied home under its own power with the wheels firmly on the ground.
• • • •Two small regular ferry trav-
ellers, William and Olivia, were so entranced with the marine life around the Cullen Bay pontoon that they were still watching the fish when ferry left.
The boat was past the break-water when Bear noticed his bil-ly lids were nowhere to be seen.
The crew was alerted and with the pair a trifle too young to be left alone until the 6, the ferry crew kindly turned back to pick up the AWOL passengers.
• • • •Visitors in a very large Win-
nebago ignored all the signs to drive on to the dunes – and got well and truely stuck.
Most locals were for leaving them there to rust, but a good sa-maritan pulled them out.
• • • •RSL welfare officer Joy Han-
dicott and partner Geoff of shire council fame were among those invited to the RAAF base to meet the lanky Yankee during his visit.
Neither was too impressed to have to be at the showground by 1.30 for security checks and a briefing before the 5 pm event.
But they were certainly im-pressed by the US president’s ability to connect with his audi-ence with Joy describing Barack Obama as an inspiring speaker.
• • • •Who was the chippie who
found a new friend almost in his bed one recent rainy night?
No, not a Peyton Place type yarn but a stray black dog who decided John Braybon’s boudoir was a far drier and more com-fortable place to be than out in the weather.
Copyright. The National Tidal Facility Australia – Flinders University of
South Australia.DISCLAIMER: These tidal predic-
tions are supplied in good faith and believed to be correct. No warranty is given in respect of errors, omission or
suitability for any purpose.
►SaltwaterConstructions► Larrakia Homes► Larrakia Environmental
Services► Cox Peninsula Enterprises
WORKING FOR ALL LARRAKIA
Telephone (08) 8947 3455 Fax (08) 8947 3544
GPO Box 2698 Darwin NT 0801www.larrakia.com.au
gauge
