When the dust has settled there are items that need strict attention if this city is to return to normal, or at least show some signs of activity.
I’ll start a list and we’d be delighted to hear from readers on what they think is needed.
To my mind items that need to be placed on a definite to do list include:
1. Catching up on the lagging infrastructure
2. Making more parking spaces available throughout the city
3. Develop a plan and progress the entry to the city from Corrimal.
4. Finally do something about Crown Street west, the injection centre and the like
5. Renovate the town hall and get it used again
6. Set the ball rolling on the Fowlers Road bridge extension at West Dapto
7. Stop the ad hoc high rise developments
8. Forget about the Blue Mile plan until a later time for after all it’s largely an ego trip for the “top end of town” and not the majority of ratepayers.
And then, of course, there’s those weeds I keep harping about.
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ICAC not finished yet
It’s been suggested to me that ICAC will take at least two months to properly wind up its recent purge on Wollongong City Council and some local developers and the like.
I also know that ICAC is on another trail regarding the proposed Tallawarra Power Station development and it has asked to talk with major objectors to this scheme.
Seems that a major new concern out that way is that if the development of the power station gets a green light the noise factors could drive local citizens around the bend.
I’m also told the noise from the projected power station could float melodiously across Lake Illawarra to not too distant households.
Then there’s the many letters that are being sent to ICAC about this and that in our community.
Oh, and by the way, there’s also the story going around that ICAC hasn’t quite finished its investigation into our city councillors.
Watch this space.
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Will they go south?
I’m also told that many people down Shellharbour way would like to see ICAC do over their local council and its operations.
Seems the alleged arrogance of its Mayor might help push the costs of a certain court case against two councillors past the $2 million mark, all at the ratepayers expense, and that certain decisions being made regarding that city’s airport at Albion Park need closer examination.
Something to do with the weight of some planes that are landing on strips not built to cater for them!!!!
There’s also the matter of the Labor councillors and their caucusing habits that has got up the noses of many people.
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Time tells the story
Just for fun I was checking back on the history of this column and blow me down if I didn’t discover that in episode one on 19/8/02 I asked the question about our so – called “do it groups” and what, if anything they really achieved.
Seems I asked the same question again recently.
And there on 16/8/05 we started to ask questions about planning processes at the city council and the possible involvement of the CEO Rod Oxley.
There was also some evidence around that time that the Labor councillors “clique” might have already been in play.
I’m also surprised that so many people are now telling me that at around this time they were writing to ICAC about certain city council activities, and not getting any satisfaction from that body.
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Local museum uproar
They’ve been at it for some 40 years but now volunteers at Wollongong’s Illawarra Historical Society museum in Market Street are fuming at being asked to meet certain costs, which they suggest should be borne totally by the city.
And from what I’m told its not peanuts we’re talking about. Try $40 000 for starters.
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What’s up with them?
It seems to me of late that you cannot pick up a major daily without reading about this firm or that being in financial trouble.
Late last week, for example, Allco was in trouble, City Pacific was looking to sell key assets to reduce a debt, ABC Learning was on the precipice, St George’s share price was declining, coal deals were “on the slow burn”, and even Lachlan Murdoch was looking over his shoulder.
And then there’s the banks. The good old NAB became the first of its lot to defy the Federal Government over higher – than – mandated monthly mortgage repayments by upping its
lending rates to long suffering customers.
I’ll bet its CEO is still earning millions and the bank is running around pouring countless dollars into TV advertising and the promotion of sporting events.
But to cap it off last week there was the none to subtle move of the embattled State’s rail system top dog to a higher paying role with a major electricity company.
Thank goodness for someone when I read that the CEO of Westfarmers dumped the previous owners of Coles supermarkets. The clean out of the former management took place only 100 days after Westfarmers became the new bosses.
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One pool to swim in
My spies tell me that come Good Friday all our city swimming pools will be closed with the exception of the continental baths at Northbeach. I wonder how this got the nod?
Just another service to long suffering ratepayers!!!
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Old sore at Berkeley may re – open
I’m also advised that there may be moves taking place somewhat behind the scenes as yet to put the much debated Berkeley community centre back on the agenda.
Seems there are still some people out there that want it moved to open up land in the vicinity for possible development.
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Mystery unfolding?
Quite a few people have asked me what I know about Quattro Employment, a company listed as having directors including disgraced city councillors Kiril Jonovski, Zeki Esen and Frank Gigliotti, and former city council heavyweight Joe Scimone.
Well, that little bird suggests it could have something to do with the possible import of Italian concrete and the like for a major city development.
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Go Wollongong go
Just to keep our city’s good name up there I noticed that three of our “entertainment” areas were named among the most disreputable in NSW.
The Harp Hotel was our first, followed by The GlassHouse and North Wollongong pub.
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Wollongong City townscape
Wollongong is like a $2.00 shop. It is full of stuff you don't need and what you do need is either absent or of such low quality it may as well be absent.
I actually think the Wollongong Council have had town planning personnel of perverse genius - for they have taken a north east ridge sweeping down to a coastal plain between a magnificent escarpment and the Pacific Ocean and, completely ignored it - so the only view in this direction is from a bridge over the railway line. Somehow they succeeded in positioning the city to the chilling south east facing the steel works with no street level, water or escarpment views ...
WOW how do they do it!
And for the Wollongong City grand entrance - on entering the city from Crown Street you are first greeted by a bevy of patients clutching their drips and colostomy bags while they sit alone or with visitors suffering the chill for that much longed for cigarette.
Then there's Flinders Street. I wonder what Matthew would make of the car yards, abandoned buildings and general mess that makes up this rather dubious commercial mile or two.
And now for the heart of the city - were is that you ask - a city square, civic buildings, some bloke on horseback, a park, how about a post office. I have actually seen better city centres in the back blocks of Montenegro.
Maybe Gail Costigan's fact finding mission to a Roman village built in 700BC will add to the much needed store of civic planning knowledge at the Council.
Caroline Colton
All pushing their own agenda
Once again a self interested business group not elected by ratepayers, the Illawarra Business Chamber, are telling ratepayers that the remaining untainted Councillors should be sacked only 6 months out from an election, Mercury 3rd.
Regardless of whenever the Council gets sacked or not, these groups must understand, ratepayers will not be told by self interested groups what is good for them
It is easy to sack someone, but who do you replace them with? If the council is sacked, we get an administrator for how many years? Elections when? How do we know we won’t get stooges of self interested business, property groups or the radicals? All pushing their own agenda.
These business groups have not demanded to see if there is systemic corruption. It is a law. Even Premier Iemma threatens to break that law but he would still have to prove corruption throughout.
No thanks. We are only 6 months out from an election. If the issued statements from groups offer no understanding of the lawful process of sacking Council, then ratepayers should certainly not be listening to them. They are no better than the mob baying for the blood of everyone.
Alan Bond | 
