YOUR VIEWS
SOMETHING very wrong is happening on the Gold Coast.
Over the past three weeks I’ve rescued nine swans that were hooked by anglers who cut them free to swim away with life-threatening injuries.
Almost half were cygnets (baby swans). Without help all would have died.
So far Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has managed to save most of those birds but sadly a female swan from the Burleigh Lakes, with a long-term mate and four cygnets, has died.
The disturbing fact is none of those hooked birds were reported by the anglers who caused the injuries.
There are two main reasons why waterbirds get hooked. Firstly, it happens when fishing lines are left out unattended. Secondly, many people continue to fish even when swans and other waterbirds arrive.
Surely it is common sense to pull in your line or stop flicking lures if a family of swans is swimming right in front of you.
Nothing excuses the shameful act of hooking a young swan (or any bird) and not calling to get help immediately.
A Google search for ‘Bird Rescue Gold Coast’ will quickly produce rescue hotline numbers. These services are free.
ROWLEY GOONAN, WILD BIRD RESCUES GOLD COAST
RE: “Parking Limits Backed” GCB 13/10/17.
The claims that this act is to make our suburbs in Labrador, Parkwood and Arundel better for the Commonwealth Games is true falsity as the only games venue for these areas is at Labrador.
People who are 5km away at Parkwood Dve are affected and yet people who a 50m away on the other side of Kumbari Ave are not.
This is another smoke screen by the council, hidden away in claims of consultation with the community which never happened.
When the Games come, the people who live in Labrador on the eastern side of Kumbari Ave will suffer from parking brought on from the hockey centre and the people in Parkwood will suffer even more from an inability to park in front of their own homes without being fined or have visitors come unless they pay $86 for a permit.
As well, they will be forced to use their cars to drive to the light rail because the 710 bus will disappear during the Games.
RON NIGHTINGALE, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR BONNEY
I BELIEVE Mr Turnbull’s new facial recognition and security laws are less about keeping us safe and more about sourcing the money trail.
All of this is about revenue. Mr Turnbull will link his security nasties to the taxation and Centrelink computers to gouge more from the poor, the sick and those trying to get an education.
Politicians from every code eventually want a cashless society so the last cent the local plumber makes can be traced back to his credit card that you top up for that leaking tap. Just a thought.
RAY ARMSTRONG, TWEED HEADS SOUTH