My husband was a war veteran and he was dying. As a family we chose to look after him supported by his very wonderful GP. This was his wish.

We took him to the GP at 3pm to be told there were no beds in either the public or private hospitals. So we took him home only to have to call an ambulance at 10pm.

This is when he was taken to emergency where he stayed till 12.30 the next day until a bed was found in the public hospital. He died at 4.45pm.

It was very distressing for the family and not easy for the patients either side of him in emergency.

So Dr Cawthorne, with all due respect to you, I believe a hospice is vitally needed. The shire is growing rapidly and where are the extra services needed to support the community.The hospital staff  are overworked and it must be stressful for them.

People have the right to die with dignity and respect in a peaceful and quiet environment where staff are trained to fully understand their needs and those of their families.

You deal with death on a frequent basis but it is a once in a lifetime situation for many families. I think it's time we stopped being so negative and support this hospice as Dr Hartnell is doing. It will benefit many into the future.

I'm quite happy to discuss my experience with you any time.

JOHN Thislteton's article in Town and Country on Monday highlights the lack of real commitment to conservation by our governments.

While spruiking their environmental credentials on one hand governments continue to promote the use of 'biodiversity offsets' on the other which is anathema to the whole concept of nature conservation and halting the decline of our natural systems and species.

It is not possible to replace an area of mature, native habitat by replanting an area somewhere else.

The centuries it has taken to create all the macro and micro systems in an area of mature bush can’t be replicated by replanting some trees on cleared land.

The immediate loss of habitat is not compensated and the lag time for the replanted area to reach biological maturity is so long the protected species will have long since died out.

In the example in the article there was not even to be any new planting, just setting aside an already restored area which does nothing to compensate for the new clearing.

NSW faces an increase in these terrible practices with Premier Baird's changes to the native vegetation act. When are we going to get serious about protecting what is left of our wonderful planet?

WHAT do you need to do to get someone to act in Robertson in regards to a property owner with acres of land for burning off away from neighbours but they choose to burn off a mountain of green waste and wood next to residential properties and a public road located in a high wind area. 

Wingecarribee Shire Council won’t act as they say it is it is a matter for the Rural Fire Service who say it is a matter for the council. It is not only the safety issue that is the problem but the air quality as the waste will burn for days due to the large amount of wood present.

It seems there is nothing that can be done according to council. This burning is a careless disregard for safety and residents wellbeing. Another classic case of Red Tape.

FOLLOWING council’s community engagement program in February 2016, council asked for a special rate variation and were granted a 45.3 per cent rate increase over four years.

Council asked for submissions from ratepayers, 51 per cent of submissions where against any rate increase, which council ignored.

Well guess what? I received my annual rate notice for 2016/17 and my annual rates have been increased by 65 per cent in the first year, at the end of this four year period my rates will have been increased by 95.65 per cent, way above the 45.3 per cent granted.

This is an indept and unprofessional attempt by this Council to demonstrate that they are fit for the future but actually they are not.

It would be more beneficial to ratepayers if this council and senior staff actually ran the council in a cost efficient and effective manner, working within their means.

I have been told that this rate increase was bought about by the State Government yes “Pigs do fly”. One councillor stated publicly “If you want to live in Wingecarribee Shire then you should be prepared to pay for the privilege”. A person that I would call a blow in. 

My piece of land in question was selected on the August 14, 1862 under a conditional purchase agreement, most probably the first piece of land taken up at the Barren Grounds, which became Bundanoon.

For the last 154 years this piece of land has been held by members of the Tooth family, who have paid all rates and taxes that were due over this 154 year period.

I certainly believe that my ancestors and myself have paid the privilege to live in Wingecarribee Shire, not like the person who made the statement.

Here is another reason why rate payers should not vote for any of the current nine councillors who are standing in the next council elections.