Weed problem
Dear Editors,
You know, there are a number of small conservation group volunteers who actually give up their time to clear weeds out from our wetlands and public places. I’ve been involved with Bush Care and Conservation Volunteers Australia programs throughout the years and would like to suggest that rather than writing articles about how Council and the RTA are avoiding responsibility we encourage the community to get involved and educated about weed control. Take for example Morning Glory vines. It annoys and frustrates me at how many people use it to decorate their fences!
But I suppose that’s too simple a solution.
Regards,
Angela Mendola Greens a worry? Not
Not all independents are independent, and not all independents can be trusted, a painful lesson the Greens have learned in the past. The Greens are a political party looking to enforce honesty and transparency in governance. They want good, honest people on Council, whether they are Green or not. Don’t for one minute think that because someone is independent that they are by definition trustworthy, or likewise that they are not.
Cheers,
Sue Fleet Regional Partnerships
Hi Andrew,
I think it’s important to clarify some of the information you’ve presented in your article. Yes, the Regional Partnerships program has provided well over $200 million in taxpayers funds for projects in regional Australia since 2003.
However the funded initiatives could rarely, if ever, be described as tidy towns projects. In the Illawarra, the types of projects funded have included new industry infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, business development, community services and youth employment initiatives.
Your readers can access a national list of projects that were funded under the Regional Partnerships program at www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au/partnerships/index.aspx
The recently elected federal Labor government has indicated that a new regional funding program called the Better Regions program will soon be implemented. The stated priorities of this program are:
• Economic sustainability
• Clean, safe and attractive environments
• Vibrant communities
• Provision of economic and social services
• Urban renewal
• Community amenity
• Community infrastructure
Ill be happy to let you know when more details become available.
Regards,
John Grace Tallawarra Power Station Land
The proposal by TruEnergy to build 660 houses at Tallawarra requires looking into. When the original station was closed by the Greiner government Tallawarra was Crown land zoned wild life reserve, special purpose power station. Now it appears that with no disclosure or advertising it was sold to the predecessors of
TruEnergy by Bob Carr and now with Frank Sartor in charge WCC is expected to rubber stamp the application for these houses or Frank takes control from WCC. It appears that building in close proximity to high voltage power lines will be ignored, digging up god knows what as the site is riddled with "nasties" and not just asbestos, plus the wild life and flora is exceptional with some species not found anywhere else in the area.
The question must be asked is TruEnergy a power supplier or a backdoor developer and why are all the rules being bent or broken to accommodate them.
The much flaunted myth of providing jobs is false as the current workers building it have been brought in because of their unique expertise and when running will only provide for about 20 full time staff with at least 25 per cent from outside because TruEnergy claims there are no people with the experience required.
I refute that and there was an agreement that previous employees would be given first refusal which hasn't happened. I know several ex-employees, self included who would be more than capable.
Despite their claims there is more opposition to this development which has been engineered more in secrecy than many others and our local state government representatives should listen and do something about it.
N. Hodges
Kanahooka Boy, will they ever!
Dear Editor,
I am somewhat mystified that Councillor Jonovski actually thinks he’s going to be the next Mayor of Wollongong or that actually anyone wants him in this role.
That his newly appointed position to the Illawarra Regional Development Board was gained on merit as stated in The Mercury with his answer that he would like to think so. This is also equally mystifying.
In The Mercury, in the not too distant past, it was pointed out that Cr Jonvoski’s retort to ratepayers about why he didn’t turn up for the then Neighbourhood Committee Meetings was that he didn’t answer to everybody!
This arrogance to ratepayers is considered merit? Worthy of being Mayor of Wollongong? Worthy of a prominent position on the IRDB?
He next stated, after not answering to everyone’s arrogance, that the ratepayers can answer at the Council elections. Boy, will they ever.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Bond Jackson's hysteria
Dear Editor,
Graeme Jackson’s letter regarding greedy land developers and gun shop owners is a classic of dragging everything in except the creation of the world to blame other people for their Australian right to speak out about what they like.
His claim that I speak of only earning a living when I refer to someone selling guns is completely false. I have never said such a thing.
His association of me with the Greens is pure fabrication as well.
His connection of butcher and bakers, who give us food to live, being equal to gun sellers who sell weapons that take life away, is hysterical beyond belief. He shot himself in the foot on that one.
But what any of this has got to do with June Pronk and greedy landowners is totally mystifying.
His claim of old fogeys is like the pot calling the kettle black. I have sat behind Mr Jackson at a Council Heritage gathering and he would have to be well over 20 years older than me.
He seems to think people are envious of landowners and equate that to communism thinking! Oh, boy, what a classic!!!
No one is against honest, sensible development by concerned, thoughtful developers. I’m sure they exist, somewhere.
It is only when developers apparently get into the ear of the planning minister, as shown in information that I have seen, getting things their way to the exclusion of anyone else, then this comes under the terms of “greedy”.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Bond Who is running the Illawarra?
Dear Editor,
Who is running the Illawarra?
I always look forward to what suggestions come from Jim Eddy to improve the Illawarra. The latest round of how Premier Iemma should look after his Labor pals had me in the usual hysterics.
For someone representing tourism I find it hard to believe that he would seriously suggest the prohibitedly expensive tunnel for the rail line bypassing the magnificent train journey down through national parks, the beaches and coast.
Nothing wrong with having the F6 extension but I and plenty of others have pushed this for years. The State Government is reluctant because it cannot be a tollway, as it is deemed a freeway, therefore it will cost them real money. That’s why there’s no rush.
Improving Lawrence Hargrave Drive (sometimes called Grand Pacific Drive) for $60 million is completely unrealistic. The bridge cost a good portion of that, and it is only 660 metres long.
How many conference centres does the Illawarra need? There are seemingly already dozens.
If there was a wish list for infrastructure it is the ratepayers one that is required. The $200 infrastructure debit because of now obvious extremely poor previous Council management is the only important one for the Illawarra.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Bond | 
