Opinion: When will council move on algae problem?

MARK Taylor’s email response dated October 31, 2016, to the question: Will council do anything about the algae regardless how bad it gets?

The reply was: The City is currently monitoring the extent of the algal bloom in the Salter Point Lagoon, (which) currently covers about 20 per cent of the lagoon’s surface. If the algal cover extends to greater than 50 per cent, the City will engage a suitable qualified contractor to reduce the cover.

The subsequent question is: More like 50 per cent and getting worse. Does council have a contractor that can be called on? Or will it be a call for tenders , then get budget approval and later maybe do?

What is the timeline from making a decision and having the work done, is there a strategy in place?

No reply.

Question: Does council intend monitoring and spraying for mosquitoes or will it wait until it receives complaints?

Reply, in part: The City implements a mosquito management plan from August to April. The City will be monitoring activity and treating as required.

Subsequent questions: How many times has aerial spraying been undertaken since 2012? How many mosquito traps are in place? What are the numbers of mosquitoes caught since August this year? No reply.

A further question: Has council ever taken water samples or intend taking samples in the future?

Reply: The City has not taken water samples at the lagoon for some time. Sampling may again be initiated particularly if the algal bloom becomes extensive.

The suggestion seems to be that at some stage water samples were taken. If so, what were the results?

The current problems do not go away by turning a blind eye, or deflecting to other authorities

Your comment in the Southern Gazette on Tuesday, December 13, suggests that you are not up to speed on this.

We ratepayers, ward councillors and local member John McGrath are still waiting for a site meeting. Why won’t you meet us with an open mind?

FRANK GIANCRISTOFARO,

Salter Point.