- October 2002 -

Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia  Volume 4, Issue 33; October 2002

Editorial:

Firstly - my apologies for the lack of graphics in the last newsletter. As I was in Spain and using unfamiliar software, I managed to leave all the pictures behind. Now I am back in Australia, all should be well! Secondly - this is a special edition to 'align' Pittwater Offshore news with the early part of the month. You will get another edition at the beginning of November and so on. The closing date for copy for the newsletter will in future be the LAST day of each month.

In this Issue:

• Church Point Store/Post Office
• Successful Poo Pump Out
• Boaters: Be Bright - think Safety at night
• Transport to and from Scotland Island
• Parking at Church Point
• The Scotland Island Fair lives on!
• Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade News
• Scotland Island Lodge - Special Offer for Readers
• Archived Newsletters
• Great Internet Sites to Visit
• Your Subscription Information

The DA (N0667/02)has now been lodged for Alterations and Additions :-

1  Ground floor - New Bistro and Extended Deck

2  New Deck to Cafe

3  Relocate 2 Pontoons

4  Construct Board Walk

SUCCESSFUL POO PUMP OUT

Pleased to report that we had a very successful day, evacuating 11 out of the 13 septics on the waiting list. This gave us a big reduction in the barge fee cost per family.
The final cost, per household was $600.00, - ( $400.00 per septic, plus a $200 contribution to the total barge hire)
We employed Palm Beach barges to get 4 big septic trucks onto the Island, and Brandsters were the lucky consortium to have the task of emptying out the tanks. After a break-of-day start, Brandsters were observed loading the last truck back onto the barge after sunset.... incredible dedication!!!!

I would like to throw down the gauntlet to begin "The Great Scotland Island Septic Pump Out Challenge" Can anyone beat my effort of 11 tanks in one day. I shall be pleased to pass on all the information, contact numbers, programming, experience etc. to the next challenger.
We already have a start up nucleus of 4 households on the waiting list.

The main task for the challenger would be in collecting the names (on email?) of all participants, spending a pleasurable afternoon walking around the island locating the tanks, and then travelling in a truck with the leader of Brandsters on the day for approx. an hour, to show him where all the tanks are. How about it?

Judging by the state of many eucalypts around the island, (look up and observe the thinning canopies and die back) the incredible battering they are currently copping from the spitfire caterpillar (that's all the little seed like things dropping continually from the trees, covering the roofs, pavements and turning the water tanks brown,) and maybe even the sludgey brown algae/seaweed currently around Eastern Wharf, the Island would be a much better place if we could get as many tanks as possible pumped out.

My tel. no. 9810 1827
Mob. 0417 215924
email. cvia7705@mail.usyd.edu.au (this may be changing soon)

Cabby Vial

BOATERS: BE BRIGHT THINK SAFETY AT NIGHT

Navigation lights will be the focus for Waterways boating officers during patrols on NSW waterways over the next few weeks. The Waterways Authority Chief Executive, Matthew Taylor, said: "Boaters without appropriate lights are gambling with the safety of their vessels, its passengers and the people on board other craft.  "While navigation lights don't help you see ahead, they make it possible  for other skippers to tell where you are and which way you are going. "People sitting in a small and unlit recreational craft quietly fishing after dark are difficult to see and run the risk of being run down by other vessels.  

 "By switching on your navigation lights other skippers have a chance to see you and avoid a potential collision. "In times of reduced visibility such as fog, darkness, smoke or even heavy rain skippers should switch on their navigation lights.

 "Most boaters need only display a red and green light either side of their vessel and a white light visible all round. "Small paddle craft such as canoes and kayaks, must be able to display a light at night which could be as simple as carrying a torch. "Waterways encourages paddle craft to display an all round white light." Mr Taylor said the most important rules to remember when driving a boat at night are to slow down and keep a good lookout.   "Speeding at night is asking for trouble because you reduce the time to  react to unlit objects. So back off on the throttle at night," he said.

"Waterways boating officers will conduct night patrols throughout the  waters of NSW. Failure to display correct navigation lights may result in a $100 on the spot fine.

 For more information on boating safety call the Waterways Infoline 13 12 56 or visit  http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au

Transport to and from Scotland Island

Pittwater Offshore Services can transport single items to a house full of possessions from Church Point Cargo Wharf to your door.
Ask for Tim Byrne on 9999 3383 or direct 0416 003 205
 

Parking at Church Point

(Sent in by an avid reader of the newsletter)

Some cars have regularly been parking overnight at the commuter wharf dropoff zone. This creates a hazard to others arriving late at night with sleeping kids or equipment to unload when the entire space is blocked.
Please be aware . 

Scotland Island Fair lives on 

Yes, the Fair is all systems go for Sunday, 24 November.  We are still negotiating the public liability insurance and will probably need some corporate sponsors to help out with that.  So, if you can help with the insurance, are keen to hold a stall ($25), kids stall ($5), provide some entertainment, or can give us a hand organizing or on the day we want to hear from you.  Please call either Jenny on 9979 3777 or Jabawoc@bigpond.com or Claire on 9979 4709.

Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade News

The Brigade has been busy during Winter training and preparing for what is shaping up to be a busy fire season.  The Bush Fire Season commenced a month early on 1 September and the Brigade held the first of its Bushfire Awareness Sessions aimed at helping householders to prepare their homes & properties.  The next Brigade Training will be at 9.00am on Sunday, 13 October.  New Members are always welcome.  Some dates to remember for November are:

5 November – Melbourne Cup Day from 2.00pm at the Fire Station

16 November – Test your general knowledge and win prizes at a Trivia Night at the Fire Station.

Scotland Island Lodge Special offer for Readers!