The time has come to lay down the tools and put the expensive Blue Mile project to bed, at least until our present economic crisis has well and truly disappeared.

In reality it is a pipedream introduced by our latest city council boss David Farmer, who was able to undertake a similar type project in Cairns.

Now the Federal Government has offered a further $2.9 million toward the project which is on top of the $600,000 being offered by council.

This in itself is ridiculous considering the economic state of the nation. Just a blatant waste of taxpayers’ money.

And after all, what is it really? Just an improved pathway along our beach front which is seen as a major tourist boost for the city!

I don’t know how many times I have to say it but Wollongong is not a tourist city like the Gold Coast and Cairns. We are too close to Sydney, there’s nowhere to park and what have we got to show except another beach very similar to those right around the Australian coastline.

And maybe that’s the reason the tourist buses go down Kiama way where the Blowhole has something different to offer and the views out over the ocean are just as spectacular. And when you add the pleasant footpath eating opportunities in that hamlet it’s got so much more going for it tourist–wise.

Worth a visit   

The debate between various high school students to be held at the Nan Tien Temple on Saturday 16 May is worth a visit.

Organised through Rotary and based on the United Nations’ model format it is a time when the students debate real life issues in a bid to be judged the top school.

The show gets under way at 12 noon and it is an open house for anyone who wants to see these talented youngsters in action.

Oh, and by the way, the students always do themselves proud by wearing clothes associated with the nations they are representing.

Shellharbour wins out   

Reading the latest Jennie George report to her Federal electorate of Throsby, I couldn’t help thinking Wollongong is missing out.

There they were, monies for new traffic lights at the Princes Highway and Colden Drive intersection at Oak Flats ( $250,000 ), a roundabout and signage at the intersection of Benson and College avenues in Shellharbour ( $150,600 ), and a further $200,000 for more roadworks down that way.

Wollongong will receive a measly $51,000 for a traffic calming scheme on Compton Street from Emerson Road to Cormack Avenue at Dapto.

And there were photos of Jennie handing out some millions for other projects in our neighbouring city.

A weekend lost to footy  

The good old NRL has done it again with their decision not to play any games in and immediately around Sydney at the weekend.

There were two club games in Brisbane and further north, one in Newcastle and one more in the bush.

Even the City v Country game went to the bush and the Australia v New Zealand match was in Brisbane.

And what with the Sydney Swans playing their AFL game away from home down Melbourne way the locals were given short shift.

But if you take into account the miserable numbers who have attended football games in Sydney of late I suppose there weren’t too many who really cared anyway!

What happens next?  

There might be more than 1000 people working on site at BlueScope Steel helping with the No 5 blast furnace update, but what will happen to them when the job is done?

It’s just another problem that will face the city and its surrounding areas as far as jobs are concerned.

Rupert’s wisdom

Australian media and business magnate Rupert Murdoch spoke recently on the world economy and brought the house down when he suggested “economists were invented to make weather forecasters look good”.

Only the dirty digger could get away with this!