Think again, dear reader. In case you didn’t recognise, it this is the dreaded Solivasessilis or Calthrop or, what we who are short on official plant nomenclature call it, Bindii.
Or, even more basically as, "Bindee Eye”.
The problem isn’t with the leaves or flowers – it’s the single prickly seed pod that follows each flower featuring three sharp spines.
Bicyclists need no introduction to these inanimate beasts, nor do dogs. Even adults, because it only needs one stray bindi to immediate deflate your Sunday best thongs.
What should we do about these malevolent miscreants?
Dispatch them post haste – poison them or report outbreaks if on council land. Their widespread germination has been slow this dry summer but the seed hangs around for years and years, waiting for a decent downpour like we’ve just had.
Don’t leave it to others. We’re in this together.
● This column, a fortnight ago, in respect of Greater Shepparton City Council’s generous festive season two-month moratorium on CBD parking fees, which ends tomorrow, offered the following advice:
“Sit back and observe – who’s first to break the ice and what “logic” will they use to press their extension anti-meter point?”
Well the Chamber of Commerce and Industry didn’t let us down (the Adviser, January 22 and The News, January 27) reportedly claiming, no less, that their president “believed the council would pass a motion for a 12-month trial” of “complimentary” parking was the “only way” to improve business – interesting “logic”.
Some interesting claims there – pre-empting council’s acquiesce to scrub user-pay parking and the assertion that “complementary” CBD parking supervision costs should be transferred to general ratepayers for a year (pending a likely annual sequence of extension applications).
Actually one outlet quoted Chamber chief, and former Shepparton City councillor, John Anderson, as saying the Chamber will be “…pressing them (the council) to extend the trial out for the next 12 months at least”. At least? If you don’t mind. “Trial”? What trial? Council’s goodwill festive parking cost promotion moratorium perhaps.
There’s a recent parking reference committee formed comprising representatives of the Chamber, Shepparton Show Me and Council (Mayor Abdullah and Cr Sutton, a fierce parking meter opponent). It’s not known who else is on it nor if the office-bearers or meeting minutes information is available.
No mention of the 12 month parking meter “profit” loss of a million dollars net – money meant to be spent in the CBD; e.g, Vaughan St and Mall.
Interesting “debate” ensues at February Greater Shepparton City Council meeting.
● Watching the box the other night and various interviewed individuals reminded me that our English language is ever-changing and I think not only is that inevitable but it is good that new words are coined and old words change in meaning as society finds usage demands it.
Here are some perceived word changes in meaning. Frequently used word first – my generalised old meaning second.
“Surreal” – freakish. “Amazing” – astonishing. “Incredible” – impossible to believe. “Unbelievable” – unlikely to be true. “Awesome” – inspiring awe.
Likewise expressive phrases and clauses are created – viz, “jump onto our website” and “give it a good crack”.
Although some of the single words are a bit hackneyed, especially when used intermixed more than twice in the one sentence, they’re here to stay so we better get used to them.
Shepparton’s John Gray has vast experience in local government, urban water reform and natural resource management.
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