Looking out for each other by looking out.

Living on our peninsula has lots of benefits, everyone is close to the water, the birds in the bush and the breezes make for enjoyable walking… a lot of us enjoy the water and the walking and what would be really wonderful, a new years gift perhaps, is if the users of motorised craft, be it on the road or in the bays slowed down so that the people powered pursuits could done without fear for personal safety.

One local sent a plea, “All I want for Christmas... is for some care and consideration from motorists on Skye Point and Coal Point Roads. A great many residents walk along the edge of the road, not to annoy motorists, but because the footpath (where it exists) is uneven, has tree roots, broken kerbing, long grass and holes making it in many places hazardous for walking.  Some of us are not so young anymore so even ground is important.

When passing someone walking, please move towards the centreline, even over it when safe to do so, to provide a margin of pedestrian safety. Slowing down a little would be an added bonus, it is a 50 zone… and to those drivers who do already give walkers a wide berth, a sincere thank you!

Another local was swimming in Carey Bay and fast moving vessels came within metres of the bobbing body, a speeding dinghy passing through the moored boats on one day and a jet ski (with passenger) who decided to launch from the shore at full bore on the following day. Vigorous splashing and shouting avoided collisions. The Boating Handbook Boating says 

When navigating near, in or through a mooring area:

• Drive slowly and keep wash to a minimum
• Keep a lookout for people in the water, small dinghies, and trailing ropes
• When travelling at 6 knots or more in a powered vessel you must stay at least 30 metres from any moored vessel.

Home Robbery

For one local the New Year started with a stark reminder that walking your dog can be an expensive exercise.

Whilst out walking the pooch and as the rest of the family slept, a robber took advantage of an unlocked back door on the verandah, scaling a padlocked gate to do so, and helped themselves to computer, back-up hard drive, accessories, software, 2 wallets and a handbag. Whilst the handbag was located and returned 3 weeks later having been found in Morisset bushland, the loss of the computer with company records has been irreplaceable.

A common local response has been ‘we always leave a door unlocked when we go for a walk". Don't risk it. Lock your doors. Evidently it is not uncommon to be robbed whilst walking the dog - no dog, no barking! The lesson learnt …Get an extra key cut and clip it on your doggy bag, then lock all doors and windows before leaving the house!