The buried whale at Nobbys Beach was successfully removed yesterday. It was an early start, once the hole was opened up and the solid carcass removed, the liquid waste was then successfully pumped out. The last step was the removal of the contaminated sand and soil. A well planned and thorough job by all accounts. On behalf of the Port Macquarie community, we would like to say a special thanks to the Council staff and contractors who were tasked with the difficult and smelly job of exhuming and removing the carcass. We sincerely thank you all. We also thank PMHC Councillors and GM for taking on board community concerns. Even though there is no scientific evidence of a link between buried whales attracting sharks there is loads of anecdotal evidence, Cottesloe in WA, Sapphire Beach near Coffs Harbour, Bar Beach at Newcastle. We maintain that the decision to bury the whale was simply the wrong one. We encourage Council to pursue with the NSW State Government, and other relevant departments and agencies, the development of policies and procedures to deal with the beaching of whales. With the east coast humpback whale population at record levels and growing by 10% annually, it stands to reason we will see more incidents like this. And as we sign off one last time we spare a thought for the beautiful animal, that through our human hand has ended up unceremoniously buried, then dug up and then dumped. It is sad and surprising that in this day and age a whale could become entangled off Tasmania and drag the lines and bouy all the way to Harvey Bay and back to Crescent Head before coming to anyone’s attention. Thanks once again for your support - what an awesome community we have! Anthony Wilson Wayne Hudson Corey Enfield Stew Clark Craig Watson