No to promise wait for cyclone shelter as government cries poor The Territory Government has put the Wagait Beach cy-clone shelter and utilities build-ing on hold for another two wet

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No to promise

Croc-free

Two-year wait for cyclone shelter as government cries poor

The Territory Government has put the Wagait Beach cy-clone shelter and utilities build-ing on hold for another two wet seasons – and maybe forever.

Despite a written promise of $350 000 funding just days be-fore last year’s NT election, lo-cal government minister Elliott McAdam has told a Cox Penin-sula Council deputation that the money will not be available until the 2007-2008 financial year.

This jeopardises months of hard work by chief executive Peter Clark who has applied for – and won – at least $150 000 in grants from Emergency Manage-ment Australia and the Federal Government’s regional partner-ships program.

Despite claims to the contrary, Territory Government politicians were well aware of the council’s time frame when the $350 000 promise was made.

One of the conditions of the grants is the NT Government’s contribution, a detail that did not appear to concern Mr McAdam.

Council president Denise Ar-ratta was very disappointed with the meeting’s outcome.

“The council quite reasonably assumed that Territory funding would be provided in a timely fashion co-jointly with common-

wealth assistance and locally raised contributions,” she said.

“The Government’s response to further delay allocation of funds required for this essential community health and safety initiative is unacceptable.

“To minimise the risk in the event of a cyclone and medical emergencies, the council intend-ed to complete construction of the utilities building before the next wet season.”

The council will now apply for a special purpose grant in a last ditch attempt to kick start the building this dry season.

With soaring building costs, a two year delay could add at least $100 000 to a project that has already blown out to more than $500 000.

While the building will be home to a range of services such as health and police, the main purpose is to provide a secure shelter in the event of a cyclone.

Last year’s cyclone Ingrid that threatened Darwin highlight-ed the shortfall in shelter space with some 120 people nominat-ing they needed shelter. Only 77 places were available.

Councillor Dale Egan summed up local thinking when he said: “Public health and safety comes before sporting facilities surely.”

Brass band pulls the crowd

The Darwin City Brass band’s performance at the Cox Club proved to be a huge hit. The band, with singer Sand Williams (inset),

played everything from country to classic to the delight of the big crowd. Club president Barry Demasson says they’ll be back.

2 – The Wagaitear, April 2006

The WagaitearPublisher: Jack Ellis

Published at: 22 (Sect 60) Mungalo Rd Wagait Beach

Phone: 8978 5111 mobile: 0417 089 528 email [email protected]

Published: monthly (first Monday)

Deadline (advertising and editorial) – 27th

Postal address: CMB 1 Wagait Beach via Darwin NT 0801

Sold at Wagait Beach Supermarket, Sea-Cat Ferry, Mandorah Beach Hotel.

Subscriptions available at $1/edition (post paid) or email at 50c an edition (pdf file)

Wotz inside …Council update........................................................ 4House on the move ................................................ 5A look at the transmitter station .....................6 & 7Anzac Day plans ..................................................... 8Cane toad update ................................................... 9Crossword and “horror”-scope .......................... 10Ads and local trade/service directory................. 11From the quarterdeck........................................... 12

Rainfall and TemperatureRain for March ........................................................... 550 mmMonthly average ......................................................... 322 mmRain since October 1 2005 ....................................... 1436 mmAnnual average (Oct 1 – Sep 30) ............................. 1713 mmAverage expected for April ......................................... 102 mmAverage raindays ..........................................................9 daysAverage min/max temp ....................................... 24.0/32.6 ºC

Weather watch

Moves to develop creek as marina, unitsWeather turns

it on at lastAn extended monsoon burst

last month dumped more than 500 mm of rain on Wagait Beach.

Daily rainfall exceeded 100 mm twice as low pressure sys-tems moved across the Terri-tory more slowly than forecast.

Darwin Weather Bureau forecaster Sam Cleland pre-dicted that the heavy falls could be it for this wet season.

“It would be unlikely that the climate system would sup-port an active monsoon event in April,” he said.

The bureau is forecasting that isolated thunderstorm activ-ity will dominate the rainfall regime of tropical northern Australia this month, although it says further cyclone events could not be excluded.

The big March rains come after one of the driest Februarys on record, with only a heavy fall on the morning of the 28th push-ing the total past 100 mm.

Sam said the sea breeze that makes Wagait Beach more pleasant than the city at this time of the year is also to blame for the lack of rain during breaks in the monsoon.

“Those afternoon storms come from the south-east,” he explained.

“Once they hit (the sea breeze) they tend to disperse.”

Several big storms that drenched the Darwin area failed to make it across the har-

A planning sign near the Cox Country Club has details of a proposal to rezone and build a marina and multi-storey apart-ments near Cox Drive.

The sign appeared late last month and no further details are available at this stage.

The sign specifies a lock, 14 marina berths as stage 1 and 12 two-bedroom apartments in two stories plus parking un-derneath.

There was no response to the telephone number listed.

The old Darwin Rural Plan,

which covers the Cox Peninsula, specifically prohibits multi-sto-rey development.

It is not clear whether this continues in the proposed new planning scheme.

Objections to the develop-ment closed on April 1.

The Wagaitear, April 2006 – 3

Wagait Beach SupermarketLocal … Friendly … Convenient

Ice, bait, groceries, takeaway food – we’ve got it all

Phone 8978 5008Open until 8 pm Fri & Sat

Petition planned against zone changeMore than 50 Wagait Beach residents

have asked the Cox Peninsula Council to coordinate a petition to the Planning Min-ister to overturn proposed zone restrictions under the new NT Planning Scheme.

Planning representatives told the meeting the rural living zone proposed for Wagait Beach would mean uses such as a medical centre, shop, multiple dwellings and com-mercial would be prohibited on 0.4 ha (1 acre) and 2 ha (5 acre) blocks.

Most people were not impressed with the suggestion that some of these uses could still happen but would require an exceptional development application.

Development Assessment and Planning senior director Jim O’Neill said existing use rights were protected by the Planning Act and there was no suggestion that existing uses could not continue.

In a surprisingly direct presentation, he explained the reason for nominating the revised RL zone.

“The rural living zone has a minimum lot size of 2 ha but that doesn’t prevent the development of property already existing,” Jim said.

“It will prevent further subdivision (less than 2 ha) so that it doesn’t put pressure on the water supply.

“We opted for rural living … the township zone was not an option because it would put pressure on the water supply and RR (rural residential) there’s a problem with the lot size.”

Fred Gillis raised a number of concerns about the new zone’s permitted uses.

“Practically everything is prohibited,” Fred said.

Denise Arratta agreed.“As we are now we can do a lot a lot of

things with permission that, under the new plan, are prohibited,” she said.

Chris Chaplin also had reservations about the blanket provisions of the new zoning.

“It doesn’t recognise what already exists.”“(The zoning) should be consistent with

what already on Wagait Tower Road and Charles Point Road,” Chris added.

“You’re putting the cart before the horse.”Jim O’Neill told the meeting the aim of the

new planning scheme was to simplify plan-ning and rationalise the hundreds of zones and uses in the different Territory centres.

He said the minister would make the final decision on the scheme, hopefully by the end of the year, and it was up to the community to push for changes if people were not happy.

“If it’s the view of the community, write to the minister,” Jim said.

Although the department has been unwill-ing to advertise the details, submissions are due to close on April 26.

Planning senior director Jim O’Neill makes a point

during the meeting.


Mandorah Beach HotelHuge 4-day Easter program

Good Friday: open from 8 am – live music with The Tree Of Us from 2 pmEaster Saturday: open 8 am until late

Easter Sunday: Bring the kids for the Easter egg hunt from 8 am – all welcome Live music from 1 pm

Easter Monday: Open from 8 am

Cox Council report

Rain delays road but push for ramp and car parkHeavy rain in March has set

back work on the remaining unsealed section of Cox Penin-sular Road by at least a month.

Several local motorists have complained about the condition of the gravel section.

During last month’s council meeting, chief executive Peter Clark said he’d spoken about the project with Katherine contrac-tor Allan King

“We were originally told there’d be a start in March,” he said.

“Now it seems it will be more like April or May.”

He said grading would con-tinue but only when conditions

were dry enough to make it worthwhile.

• • • •The council has joined forces

with Goyder MLA Ted Warren in an attempt to have the Man-dorah boat ramp extended by 20 metres and the car park sealed and marked.

The move follows the lack of any response to a letter to the

Infrastructure and Planning De-partment in October.

A meeting last month between Ted and the council agreed to push for the work to accommo-date the rapidly growing Wagait Beach population and the ex-pected increase in visitor num-bers once the road is sealed.

“The council believes the jetty car park is a government asset and needs repair and modifica-tion in the form of additional formalised parking allotments,” council president Denise Arratta wrote in a letter to Ted.

“The proposed redevelopment of the Mandorah Beach Hotel and greater traffic numbers, in-

cluding trailer boat owners, will exacerbate (the) congestion.

“Presently there is erosion on the margins of the bitumen and continuing degradation of un-sealed areas used for parking.”

The council says the 20 me-tre extension to the boat ramp would make the facility more functional.

The ramp is almost unusable when the tide is below 4 metres.

• • • •Councillors have raised con-

cerns about the behaviour of a small group of teenagers during the Friday night sports ground cricket and soccer activities de-signed primarily for the younger

children.

Denise Arratta raised the issue during discus-sion on recreational of-ficer Alby Murray’s activ-ity report.

“We don’t need teen-agers screaming around on bikes and being dis-ruptive,” she said.

“I’d hate to see (the ac-tivities) hijacked by the big kids at the expense of the smaller kids.

“It needs more parent involvement – some of them just drop the kids off … they just use it as a child minding centre.

“Alby’s doing a great job and we need to give him all the support we can.”

The council will look at holding another police-organised blue light disco at Wagait Beach.

• • • •

Queensland cyclone delays weed volunteersA group from Con-

servation Volunteers Australia who were go-ing to take on a week’s weedbusting near Imu-luk Creek have found themselves in the middle of a cyclone recovery.

The volunteers were in north Queensland when the cyclone struck Inn-isfail and surrounding communities.

They’ve been conscript-ed to provide a hand dur-ing the big clean-up.

The local envirocare group is planning to tag the native vegetation in the area but the whole project has been put back to May.

L a r r a k i a N a t i o n rangers are also involved in the project designed to reduce the fuel load and make the area safer during the dry season.

Members of the Native Plants Society visited Wagait Beach last month and turned on an interesting bush walk explaining how to identify local plants. They’ll be back to lend a hand during the bush marking operation in May.

Kenbi dancers Monday,

Tuesday, Wednesday

from May 1


It was a bit of a tight squeeze but the old Twilight on Lindsay house made it down

Wagait Tower Road, then along De Lissa and will become guest quarters at Pat and Trish McIntyre’s 2 ha block. But there were some anxious moments with the trees and a close

call with a street sign on the way.

What you do when you have too many visitors


Cox Peninsula transmitters – talking

Technicians who used to work at the old Radio Australia transmitters at Charles Point on the Cox Peninsula would notice some big changes if they visited today.

Now operated by CVC Networks based in Ma-roochydore on Queens-land’s Sunshine Coast, the station broadcasts music and information programs in three lan-

guages to south-east Asia – mainly India, Indonesia and China.

It also transmits Radio Australia programs for an average of 10 hours a day, providing the ABC with a cheaper service than when the corpora-tion was the sole user.

CVC is a Christian philosophy organisation but Asia-Pacific director Mike Edmiston says the

The control room at the CVC Network transmitting station.

A map of the CVC coverage into south east Asia.

Left: One of the large high frequency transmitters.


to more than 1.3 billion radio listeners

is part of a major change towards digital broad-casting which will make short-wave reception as good as any fm station.

He says new afford-able radios now coming on the market will re-ceive short wave digital and open up a new era in radio broadcasting.

“Eventually any main street store will have shelves packed with dig-ital radios.

“Shortwave is expe-riencing a rebirth (and we’ll be able to reach) 1.3 billion listeners with the same quality (as fm).”

CVC had had expres-

programming does not preach to the listeners.

“The intention is to provide a wholesome fo-cus … that goes against the direction of a lot of local radio,” he says.

“We get a quarter of a million responses a year to our programs … it’s just presenting life from a Christian perspective.”

Programs are pro-duced in CVC’s Queens-land studios and are transmitted via satellite to Charles Point with fi-bre-optic cables provid-ing a high quality backup if the satellite link is lost.

Mike says the station

sions of interest from other broadcasters keen to make use of the sta-tion’s facilities.

“It’s a very complex process to get a licence to transmit,” Mike ex-plains.

“It has to go through the communications minister and (foreign af-fairs minister) Alexander Downer gets involved.”

Mike cannot speak highly enough of all the members of the transmit-ter station staff.

“The station had been mothballed for two or three years when we came in 2000,” he says.

“It was quite sad to see a site like this run-down.

“Now it’s a world-class site in terms of equip-ment and performance.

“We’ve got two new transmitters in place plus

we’re upgrading two to digital transmission.

“It’s a credit to eve-ryone who’s worked here.”• Thanks to Mike and

CVC staff for the tour.

Feeders to the large antenna network that serve the

transmitters.Left: CVC Asia-Pacific

director Mike Edmiston.

Audio from the CVC studios in Queensland and Radio Australia comes in via satellite.


Big plans for Anzac Day this yearWagait Beach is gear-

ing up again for Anzac Day on April 25.

The last two years have seen growing numbers at the event, with the march a particularly big attrac-tion.

Thanks to organiser Jill Formby, this year’s Anzac Day looks like being even bigger and better.

ANZAC DAY – TUESDAY, 25 APRILOrder Of Service

Cox Peninsula Council Cenotaph62 Wagait Tower Road, Wagait Beach

Service commences at 10.30 amIntroduction/welcomeSounding of StandfastCatafalque party & flag orderly take postsCatafalque party ‘Rest on Arms’Welcome to serviceInvitation to lay wreathsAddress and formal serviceReading of the Ode and short pause for respect Playing of the LamentSounding of the Last Post (1 minute silence)Reveille and flags to the mast headBenedictionNational AnthemCatafalque and Flag Party march off

11.15 am: Anzac Day March Please gather at the corner of Erickson Crescent & Cox Drive

for the march to the Cox Country Club.(After the March, the Cox Country Club will hold a flag raising

& games. Refreshments will be available.)

The Tri-Service cadets and a piper will be high-lights of the Anzac Day service at the council grounds from 10.30 am.

The march will start in Erickson Crescent at 11.15.

Marchers will head to the Cox Club for the flag raising, Anzac Day games and refreshments.

Last year’s Anzac Day march … expected to be even bigger this year.

Part of the celebrations at the Cox Club.

Right: Jack Davis and Sheree Arratta at the flag raising.


Mungalo Native Plant NurseryApril Sale – Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th only

Foxtail palms (Wodetia bifurcata) Ideal for Wagait Beach conditions

Only $5 each or 5 for $20All other plants in 15 cm pots $6 each

Grevillea and all 20 cm pots $108978 5111 or 0417 089 528

Native plants make life easier

I recently had a very useful meet-ing with some of our local council members that enabled me to get a good handle on government issues that are of concern.

I hope that this was a precursor to many more such meetings, because working together we can try and get the best outcome for all Cox Peninsula residents.

As a result of that meeting, I have written to the Infrastructure and Transport Minister requesting that extension work on the Mandorah boat ramp, and construction work on the ferry car-park, both be put on the forward works program.

The main issue raised by our coun-cillors at this meeting was the timing of NT Government funding for the proposed cyclone shelter/amenities building.

This was an election commitment at the last Territory election, and I have been lobbying to get this project started as soon as possible.

Following this meeting, I personally

lobbied the Minister for Local Govern-ment, the Infrastructure Minister, the Health Minister and the Treasurer.

I also encouraged our council to directly lobby the relevant ministers, which I understand they have done.

I also attended a meeting between a delegation from our council and Local Government Minister Elliot McAdam at Parliament House.

Our council put the case for this funding to be made as soon as possible because of escalating costs.

I supported our councillors in their endeavours, but unfortunately the Minister advised that budgetary con-straints meant that it was unlikely to be funded this coming financial year.

Along with our councillors, I am also very disappointed that despite my efforts, this election commitment appears to have drifted on to the 2007/08 financial year program.

I will continue to fight for it to be brought forward.

Cheers for now!Ted

From the big house … with Goyder MLA Ted Warren

Cane toads have been spotted just south of Be-lyuen as the pests move closer to the north coast.

Reports from landown-ers near Pioneer Creek indicate the toads have moved almost 30 km since early February.

A couple of dead toads seen on Charles Point Road may have been hitchhikers or possibly put there as a prank.

One driver reported counting 180 dead toads

Cane toads now 20 km awayon Cox Peninsula Road on a recent trip to the city.

But there is still a chance the toads may not reach Mandorah before the end of the wet season.

Parts of Darwin’s rural area are virtually toad-free thanks to people trap-ping toads at every oppor-tunity for the “toad deten-tion centre” (below).

Ted Warren lends a hand during last month’s Clean Up Australia Day.

Clean up nets all sorts of rubbishA mooring buoy, spring water plastic bottles, beer

cans, weeds and pieces of styrofoam were among the hundreds of items picked up along the beach between the jetty and the Wagait Tower Road access track on Clean Up Australia Day.

There was a disappointing turnout for the clean-up but those who did managed to pick up 11 large bags of rubbish.

Coordinator Carolyn Donnelly said plastic bottles made up about 50 per cent of the rubbish.

Beer cans were second with about 30 per cent.

‘Unrecognisable stuff’“The remainder was made up mostly of small bits of

plastic, rubber and foam,” she said.

“Much of the foam looked like it came from beer can coolers, but there were all sorts of things like thongs, meat trays, bottle lids, lighters, tennis balls and lots of unrecognisable stuff.” • FrogWatch pic


Aries: March 20 – April 20This could be a tense month for Arians with

the need to celebrate and be nice to people. Do a Peter Brindley and stay at Schooners for a month. It won’t improve things but you won’t remember a thing. Lucky number 13Taurus April 21 – May 21

There’s a large hook coming into your future. Either you’ll get a job as a butcher or it’s a sign the jewfish are on the bite. Lucky number 33.Gemini: May 22 – June 21

Grab a cold beer, a comfortable li-lo and gaze at the clouds. You probably won’t learn anything but it’s a good way to waste a day.Lucky No 8Cancer: June 22 – July 22

This is no time to have a crabby attack. This is an excellent month for making new friends, Go for it. Lucky No 1Leo: July 23 – August 23

Now Leo’s stars are a bit of a mess this month with Venus setting on Mars and the moon getting up Uranus. Just go with the flow and hope for the best. Lucky No 18 Virgo: August 24 – September 23

The entrails of a dying magpie goose show a rather mixed month for Virgo. But there are signs of financial recovery – take a Roscoe share. Lucky No 47Libra: September 24 – October 23

Don’t miss out on the shop’s monthly specials. There is something there that will rekindle old memories. Lucky No 3Scorpio: October 24 – November 22

There is a fascinating time ahead for Scor-pions which seems to have something to do with a long-forgotten sporting event. Lucky No 40Sagittarius: November 23 – December 22

This month should bring rest and relaxa-tion but don’t let the waistline go. A long stroll along the beach should create a balance between the two. Lucky No 45Capricorn: December 23 – January 20

That is not a chest verandah you see when you look in the mirror. Time to get along to the gym or be the first in Wagait Beach to have a personal trainer. Lucky No 24Aquarius: January 21 – February 19

Due to a lack of interest, your month has been cancelled. Lucky No 0 Pisces: February 20 – March 19

12.73° south, and 130-something degrees east is the best fishing spot in the world. A cold carton will get you the rest of the numbers. Lucky No .343

In an emergency …Medical – ask for the duty District Medical Officer 8922 8888NT HealthDirect (medical advice) 1800 186 026Police 000, 131 444, 88 0200 (Humpty Doo)Fire 89 785 176Power and Water 8924 6506 or 1800 245 090NT Emergency Service Cox Peninsula via 000

TIFFWORD

1

Solution here

next month

Across 7 Taste appreciatively

(6)8 An unaccented beat

(6)9 Goes with pong (4)10 It’s across the har-

bour from Darwin (8)11 A type of occupancy

(7)13 What Josh Chaplin

and his mates ride (5)

15 Particular interest of Roni Edgar (5)

16 Existing in†name†only (7)

18 Late night current affairs on SBS (8)

19 Home for a bird (4)21 Electorate including

10 across (6)22 US equivalent of the

British inside leg (6)Down 1 Wise men (4)

2 Crude but effective (5-3-5)

3 The state of being first in importance (7)

4 Mirthful (5)5 The quality of being

hateful (13)

6 A Cuban dance in duple†time (8)

12 Lifting device (8)14 Exhibit mimicry (7)17 Jewelled†headdress

(5)20 Cleansing†agent (4)

Welcome to TiffWords, a new cross-word designed and produced by Peter Tiffin, lawyer and wordsmith extraor-dinaire.

While Peter lives on th wrong side of the harbour, he keeps a close watch on events on the west shore, so expect a few clues with a real local flavour.

Too hard? Too easy? Let’s know and Peter has promised to make his Tiff-Words challenging but entertaining.

Now it’s TiffWords


Chads ExpressServicing Wagait Beach

& Mandorah every Wednesday

Ph: 8981 0533 Fax 8941 7466

ABN 30 098 962 504

Sadgroves Quay Pty Ltd66 Frances Bay Drive DARWIN

Our range of services include:• Shipwright • Abrasive Blasting • Aluminium and Steel Welding

• 70-tonne Marine Travelift

Phone: 8981 9625 or 0414 893 112 or see our web site www.sadgrovesquay.com.au

Wagaitear trades and services

Who does what locallyAccommodation

Beach Front Cottage .............0418 827 697 or 89 785 130 Golden Sands ................................................... 89 785 075 Mandorah Beachside Hotel ........................... 89 785 044

Commissioners for Oaths Linda King ........................................................ 89 785 064 Peter Brindley .................................................. 89 785 180 Rhonda Solien ...................................................89 785241

Dressmaker Brigette .............................................................. 89 785 234

Earthworks Mick & Donna ......................0419 822 320 or 89 785 034

Garden and home maintenance Gary ................................................................... 89 785 144 Owen ............................................................. 0417 827 107

Hairdresser “House Of Sheree” .......................................... 89 785 031

Home renovations Ian Bird ............................................................. 89 785 059

House cleaning Jan ................................................................. 0427 391 176

Jewellery Kat ..................................................................... 89 785 232

Kerbing Gary and Brigette ............................................ 89 785 234

Mechanical repairs G-Mac Services ............................................... 89 785 136

Mower/whipper-snipper repairs John ................................................................... 89 785 322

Mowing and water carting Ray ..................................................................... 89 785 241

Native plant nursery Chris and Jack .................................................. 89 785 111

Painting & tiling Paul ................................................................ 0415 373 708

Pest control Bob ........................................ 0418 827 967 or 89 785 130

Plastering Michael Milton ................................................ 89 785 126

Printing and publishing mediaplus ..............................0417 089 528 or 89 785 111

Property conveyancing Trish McIntyre ..........................8981 6733 or 89 785 237

Real estate Nadja Tauber ................................................... 89 785 043

Supermarket Chris, Sue and the ladies ................................ 89 785 008

Water Mick & Donna ......................0419 822 320 or 89 785 034

Your local MLATED WARRENServing Goyder and the

Cox Peninsula community Phone 8983 3477

HUMPTY DOO PLUMBINGSelf-certifying plumber and drainer

General Plumbing Contractors

GREG KEOGHGood rates – great service

Phone & Fax: 8988 2093 Mobiles: 0408 898 491/0419 820 733

Don’t be left stranded on the other side!For all your transfers to and from

Cullen Bay Ferry Terminal Phone

JEEVESPRIVATE HIRE CARS

0423 799 766

KAT’S KORNERWide range of jewellery for casual or evening wearEarrings and bracelet sets for the younger ones

Magnetic jewellery (necklace, bracelet or worn at the waist)Beautiful original hand-made pieces

Call Kat on 8978 5323or drop in at 105 Baluria Rd Wagait Beach


from the quarterdeck …with the Admiral

ACROSSTHEHARBOUR

Darwin Harbour tide times for April

Return fare

ADULTS

$19

CHILD

$9.50

DepartsCULLEN BAY MANDORAH

6.30 am 6.45 am 7.00 am 7.20 am #7.45 am #8.00 am 9.00 am 9.20 am 11.00 am 11.20 am *12.00 md *12.20 pm 1.00 pm 1.20 pm 3.00 pm 3.20 pm 5.00 pm 5.20 pm 6.00 pm 6.20 pm 8.00 pm 8.20 pm 10.00 pm 10.20 pm ̂ 12.00 mn ^12.20 am

# weekday service only^ Fri and Sat only* Sat, Sun, pub hols

Copyright. The National Tidal Facility Australia

The Flinders University of South Australia.

DISCLAIMER: These tidal predictions are supplied in good

faith and believed to be correct.

No warranty is given in respect of errors, omission or suitability for any purpose.

Cane toad sightings on the corner of Charles Point Road and Wagait Tower Road have seen the traps begin to appear and checks being made of all the tadpole areas.

There’s been reports of very black tad-poles schooling in the creek and swamp behind the club that look very much like baby toads.

Identity checks are being carried out – toad tads are black underneath while the native frogs have lighter coloured bellies.

] ] ] ]Still on the toads, blockies in Wagait Tow-

er Road thought they heard toad calls in the night and went searching with the torch.

After chasing trilling calls up and down the big drain, they finally homed in on the noise and were all set to despatch the intrud-

ers to the toad trap in the sky. The “cane toad” turned out to be a very

noisy and none too confident-looking rocket frog who didn’t seem at all keen on having a large shovel poised above where its ears should be.

] ] ] ]The Admiral’s boss copped a serve recent-

ly for not chasing down the mystery of what really goes on at the transmitting station at Charles Point.

While most people think it broadcasts programs for Christian Voice (CVC) and the ABC to south-east Asia, the word was that the US Central Intelligence Agency is using the transmitters.

The CIA seems none too smart if it is really using the fibre-optic network that gets to the

transmitters via the local exchange. Hopefully, the centre pages spread in this

edition will allow the seekers of truth and justice to rest easily in their beds in future.

] ] ] ]Planning and other matters that shatter

the earth may be important, but government officials here for last month’s planning meet-ing were impressed with local priorities.

Residents put the visitors under the ham-mer about what could and could not be done under the new planning scheme.

Just as things looked like really hotting up, most of the audience got up and left.

Those who remained explained that Thursday is darts competition night at the club … nothing stands in the way of serious dart players and their arrows.

Documents

No to promise wait for cyclone shelter as government cries poor The Territory Government has put the Wagait Beach cy-clone shelter and utilities build-ing on hold for another two wet