Mr Holstein quoted: “As the rail corridor is already fenced, then there should be no changes to farming practices”. There are many sections of the Goulburn to Crookwell Railway line that have never been fenced to this present day, in accordance with the Goulburn to Crookwell Railway Act 37, 1899. Since there are large sections along the railway line that are not currently fenced, the introduction of the proposed GCRT would significantly impact current farming practices.

In regard to Mr Holstein’s comment on foot and mouth disease (FMD): as a primary producer, whose sole income is derived from our livestock, I am very thankful that we don’t currently have FMD in our country. Our Customs officials are doing a wonderful job at keeping this horrible disease from our shores. So damaging is FMD to the agricultural economy, some countries even consider FMD as a potential bioterror threat, so this is not something that should be so easily dismissed.

“As cyclists have little interest in cavorting with ….” A disease like Cysticercus bovis (better known as Beef Measles) can be contracted by livestock without direct contact by ingesting pasture contaminated with tapeworm eggs passed from humans. Carcases that contain beef measles are condemned, resulting in the producer receiving no reimbursement for that animal.

The noxious weeds that have a major economic impact on the farming practices in this area, to which Mr [Maurice] Newman was referring, include Chilean needle grass, African Lovegrass and Serrated Tussock. These grasses can be transferred by clothing, and are known to be in the Goulburn area. Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, land managers should mitigate the risk of new weeds being introduced to their land. Activities suggested by users of the proposed GCRT, would greatly increase the risk of spreading these noxious weeds into our region.

From October 2017, Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accredited producers will need to complete a Farm Biosecurity Plan to minimise the risk of introducing and spreading infections disease on their properties, and control and record people, equipment and vehicles entering the property. The LPA program is an Australian livestock industry’s on-farm assurance program covering food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity and is a vital component behind Australia’s reputation as a reliable supplier of safe red meat to domestic and international markets. The proposed GCRT could comprise our local farmers’ ability to be involved in these important industry programs, potentially limiting their terms of trade. This raises the question of who would compensate for the farmer’s loss of income by not being able to participate in these industry programs. 

In closing, while I was writing this reply I have thought about the others in our community who won’t benefit from GCRT. Like the carers who have to travel outside the Upper Lachlan Shire to visit their loved ones. Why should we spend $16 million on the GCRT, while those who have spent their lives building this community – who in their final years need special care, have to move away due to lack of suitable accommodation in the Upper Lachlan shire. The cost of the GCRT to our agricultural based community will far outweigh the benefits.

What is it about Goulburn Mulwaree Council and roundabouts? It seems that the predilection to subjugate the circular dead space in the centre is causing our mayor to lie awake at night tossing and turning and pondering the possibilities. So Mayor Bob Kirk decides that the answer to his sleepless nights is to plonk a tree in every roundabout in Goulburn. So he gets the minions to do some costing and they come back with "up to 20 grand a pop, Mr Mayor".

They`re yanking your chain, Bob! Even the other councillors think this is a bit steep, so Bob's sent it back to the minions for re-costing. Anyhow, not to worry about the cost, there's plenty of dough in the GMC magic pudding fund.

But forget the tree idea: you can put anything you want in a roundabout. Even Parliament House in Canberra is in a giant roundabout.

Every year, the British Roundabout Appreciation Society nominates its top 10 roundabouts. Hobart topped the list in 2015. They`ve got a fountain that looks like a spaceship. Anything the Hobartians can do, we can do better. Let your imagination run wild, Bob. 

Incidentally did you know that the first roundabouts appeared in New York in 1903 and were originally called not roundabouts, but one-way gyratories.

We write on behalf of Mel Sheerman, who was involved in a car accident three weeks ago on the Hume Highway at Sally's Corner. She would personally like to thank everyone who stopped to help with her and her three children after the accident. We all very much appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. We've been in touch with the truck driver that stopped to help and a couple of others too, but want to make sure everyone who was there knows what a difference their support made. The police officers, paramedics and fire brigade team members who all helped, all of the emergency services deserve praise for their assistance. And all the members of the public who stopped were amazing. Mel has a lot of broken bones and it will take a long time to recover but she's here and that's the main thing.