Jillian Spring, BillinudgelRegarding your article ‘A positive change to bring back the Bruns’, (Echo, 14 July).
Since 2013/14 submissions to Council, a more in-depth submission (29 Feburary, 2016) included numerous photos of the neglect of our North Arm Brunswick River, starting at the Marshalls Creek bridge at Billinudgel through New Brighton onward to the main Bruns River. It also had a number of other manuscripts showing the continuing problems and degradation; all to no avail. Eventually, after my 2016 submission emphasising the degradation of the riverbank, especially at the corner of Casons Lane and New Brighton Rd, a safety plastic fence was installed.
Very much later this was more securely fenced and large rocks placed there, blocking people from enjoying the area. The eroding/undermining of the actual bank is still occurring and especially at the corner. Also, years ago, the western end of the river was being saved but the owner of the end property was stopped by Council, hence erosion continued.
We lived in the third home on the western end and even at low tide, we and our neighbour loved our swims in the river before it was time to head to school – it was so fantastic!
Now high tide is the only okay time to swim in that river.
I have continued to take photos showing the loss of the river, the massive silting, and, as far as the loss of mangroves stated in The Echo article go, it’s nonsense. The mangroves have taken over the river. The river opposite the New Brighton shop is nothing compared to what it was and further around the corner, plus at the islands. It is dirty, filthy yuk/muddy around the mangroves and has been progressively worsening.
Also at the main river west of the highway bridges, mangroves have taken over there too – they’re not lost!