Dingo fences - do we need them?
sue June 1st, 2008
Many, many residents in both Happy Valley and Eurong townships are very unhappy about the decision made by our State Gov’t to fence the townships. They are even more unhappy, if that is possible, about the bulldozing and methods used to construct the fences.
The fences are supposed to ‘deter’ dingos but are now belatedly been described as ‘fire breaks’. After speaking to staff employed at Kingfisher Bay Resort it is apparent that dingos still frequent that Resort in spite of the fence there. The staff even have pet names for the dingo’s that habitually visit the Resort.
Around both Happy Valley and Eurong the entire route for the fence was bulldozed. The bulldozing is straight through thickly vegetated sand dunes and has been, in my opinion, totally and utterly destructive and unnecessary. If it could be proved that the fences were needed I still would not support the methods used to construct them.
The residents and local Councils were not adequately consulted about these fences and as time goes on more and more questions are being raised. Why would any town need a firebreak between it and the ocean? Fire will not approach the townships from that direction. Do the townships want a firebreak? Has anyone bothered to ask the people? Will the electrified grids be safe for people if they come into direct contact with them? How big a shock will be received? Are they safe for children and in fact the dingo’s themselves? What if someone has a pacemaker for instance? Will vehicles with sensitive electronic systems be able to cross without damaging these systems?
I believe that if anyone, including Council, used a bulldozer in a National Park to do damage as has been done on Fraser Island, a court hearing and heavy fines would ensue! Is this how we show the world the best way to look after a World Heritage site?
Snakes and spiders can kill me in my own backyard. Sharks can kill me if I swim in the sea. Driving on the road can be deadly! I understand the dangers and risks involved when I visit a natural, wild area. Dingo’s are the top predators on Fraser Island and have been a part of our landscape for thousands of years. They have a right to remain there and when we visit the island we simply need to ‘take care’. Domestic dogs have killed more people than dingo’s have.
I am increasingly frustrated at Legislation designed to protect us from nature and from ourselves. Government has a responsibility to provide a safe community but it cannot insure us all against every eventuality. We must take personal responsibility and look out for ourselves. If I choose to sit under a tree I know a branch may fall on me. I make the choice. I don’t expect every tree to be choppped down in case a branch may one day fall!
Let both the people and the dingo’s on Fraser Island remain free. Fences are not needed and they are most definately not wanted!
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- Comments(4)
At our last Progress Association Meeting, it was moved that Council ’should look at’ gum trees at the boat ramp at Big Tuan. Recently, one dropped a limb and it fell on the side of the toilet roof.
I am extremely concerned that this ‘look at’ will be the start of a wholesale cutting down of these trees which have been there for decades and provide homes and nesting sites, year after year, for several families of sea eagles and kites; shade for boaties; stability for nthe banks and foreshores, food and shelter for many other species of birds, animals and insects - not to mention considerable natural beauty and amenity.
The trees were already there - people came along and parked under the trees for the shade.
Now, I believe they are in grave danger of being removed or cut down, just leaving the stump to sprout. This must not happen!
We should accept the risk when we park under a tree - or go and park somewhere else.
Please maintain a watch for this letter to Council from Progress - and do your best to make sure that these trees are not cut; that the Sea Eagles and Kites are not disturbed or their nests/roosts threatened, and the natural vegetation of this particular spot (which provides a valuable filter system, protecting the waterways) is not damaged or destroyed.
If we can do anything more to prevent what I foresee, please reply and let us know what else you think we can do.
Many thanks for your great work, Sue.
This comment is not about dingo fences, but relates to your belief that we need to accept responsibility for our actions, rather than ‘blame nature’
At our last Progress Association Meeting, it was moved that Council ’should look at’ gum trees at the boat ramp at Big Tuan. Recently, one dropped a limb and it fell on the side of the toilet roof.
I am extremely concerned that this ‘look at’ will be the start of a wholesale cutting down of these trees which have been there for decades and provide homes and nesting sites, year after year, for several families of sea eagles and kites; shade for boaties; stability for the banks and foreshores, food and shelter for many other species of birds, animals and insects - not to mention considerable natural beauty and amenity.
The trees were already there - people came along and parked under the trees for the shade.
Now, I believe they are in grave danger of being removed or cut down, just leaving the stump to sprout. This must not happen!
We should accept the risk when we park under a tree - or go and park somewhere else.
Please maintain a watch for this letter to Council from Progress - and do your best to make sure that these trees are not cut; that the Sea Eagles and Kites are not disturbed or their nests/roosts threatened, and the natural vegetation of this particular spot (which provides a valuable filter system, protecting the waterways) is not damaged or destroyed.
If we can do anything more to prevent what I foresee, please reply and let us know what else you think we can do.
Many thanks for your great work, Sue.
I will be awaiting your letter to Council and I will ask questions about any proposed tree ‘pruning’. When writing to Council it is always a good idea to cc Councillors otherwise we may not receive copies of your correspondence.
I personally believe that safety issues are evolving in a way that attempts to wrap us all in cotton wool.
Yes trees fall down and fires can burn the countryside and a dingo can bite you but surely we are mature enough to judge for ourselves when to take risks or not! I would like the legal profession to start to make decisions based on common sense versus stupidity.
If you trip over and fall down because of someone being negligent yes I agree some compensation is in order but if you simply don’t take care about where you are placing your feet you don’t.
If I want to sit under a tree and it drops a branch and flattens me that is my problem and I don’t want to see every tree lopped or removed or fenced off ‘just in case’…
Sue
Amusing. I like it. Will it be continued?