Suggestions that the NSW Government might like to combine the disgraced Wollongong and Shellharbour city councils into one new massive organisation are of considerable concern.
It’s not the first time this idea has come to the surface, and it needs to again disappear from any agenda.
We already have a situation where the government has sacked the Wollongong councillors and Shellharbour’s are now also under threat.
Before any merger nonsense is proceeded with we need to have a situation where both municipal organisations can be put firmly back on their feet financially and management–wise.
Certainly the financial aspect applies to Wollongong where it’s being touted the rates will rise by 5.7 per cent, which is 2.5 per cent above what the NSW Government would like to see.
We are being told the new rate rise is needed to catch up on a backlog of necessary infrastructure, but wasn’t that the same excuse we were given for this year’s rise?
But why should we just cough up the extra dollars without any guarantees that the monies will be properly managed let alone wisely spent?
It becomes increasingly difficult, for example, to understand why, if our infrastructure needs a boost, the increasingly unpopular $48 million Blue Mile project can still be on any agenda.
Maybe it’s time we acted similarly to Californians a short time ago when they decided not to pay an increase in fees, and won the day.
In fact, I’m already of a mind not to pay the extra.
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A further delay
I’m told on good advice that the controversial West Dapto Release Area documentation will be extended until 30 May.
This will be the third delay to the exhibition process.
In the meantime, so I’m told, the Section 94 Plan, a key element in the whole picture, is again under review.
Objectors to any of the West Dapto proposals will still have an opportunity to have another say once this documentation becomes available for public display.
But when this might happen remains uncertain.
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We lose out
The passing of well-known campaigner and community stalwart Cate Stevenson after a long battle with cancer is a major loss to our community.
The city’s Rotary Citizen of the Year in 2005 and the recipient of an OAM, Cate will always be remembered for her work at Mt Kembla and the growth of that suburb’s fine heritage centre and for her active association with the Black and White Committee.
So, too, the passing of George Ackaoui the founder of the Illawarra Ethnic Communities Council who, in 1997, was awarded the rank of Knight of the National Order of Merit by the then French Ambassador to Australia.
I spent some time working with George on one of those community advice groups our late Mayor Frank Arkell used to put together and you wouldn’t have found a more sincere and thinking person.
Thank you both for your untiring contributions.
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Here we go again
Our tourism heavies are still at it following the release of some figures that claim more than four million visitors came to the Illawarra last year.
Again the figures are unsubstantiated.
One figure being quoted is that the Illawarra attracted 3.3 million domestic day visitors. Who counted them and how did they do it?
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Another Iemma boo – boo
If anyone in NSW should be considered for spending time behind bars for their failure to meet society’s more stringent demands it is Premier Morris “Who” and most of his cabinet and not the hassled parents of children who are not attending school for one reason or another.
Not only have Morris and company stuffed up our railway, education and public hospital systems, but they are very much guilty of neglecting the needs of people we call carers in our community.
This is not an easy job, and it’s being made more difficult by lack of proper operational facilities and the funds to expand this essential service, particularly where professionals are involved.
The failure to give the carers more help is also rubbing off on our police force with officers too often being called to “domestics”.
A professional carer I spoke with last week says she feels sorry for many police who don’t have the specific training in this area. She also suggested that many people won’t call for police help because they believe their presence makes the householder feel embarrassed.
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Business as usual
I’m told that the response from around the place to a court judgment ruling in favour of the truly elected board of management of the Kidzwish Foundation Inc is being greeted with a very positive response.
My lips are sealed on any more information, but I do know the Foundation is now turning its attention to this year’s bumper Christmas party for disabled and disadvantaged kids, and from what I’m hearing it will be a bobby dazzler.
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Unquestionable integrity
So we should let democracy thrive, as the heading of a letter stated, Mercury 2 April. The words “unquestionable integrity” were also used to describe the three administrators of Wollongong City Council.
Yet in view of comments in another letter about one of the administrators regarding their approval in obvious delegated authority of the Port Kembla smelter and how it was going, with the smelter dead and buried, shakes the branches of the tree a bit. Particularly when that same administrator was in the NSW planning department when the push was on for the Helensburgh expansion into speculated land and catchment areas in the early 1990s. Well, there was no expansion and residents claimed victory with the help of local politicians including Councillor David Martin and David Campbell, now Police Minister.
Interesting that at the same time when that administrator was appointed, 83 acres went up for sale in Helensburgh. This does not mean a connection, far from it. Just interesting.
Alan Bond
WCC Administrators
I understand the meeting lasted 36 minutes, but was well attended by the public and some former councillors.
Something must be happening, I now find I get replies to all my emails to WCC on various matters, not just an acknowledgement.
I don't think a new council in Sept would be a good idea.
Let this trio clean out the stable first.
Fergie
A sad day for the Illawarra
It was good to see the former independent councillors, Dave Martin, Alice Cartan, Carolyn Griffiths and Andrew Anthony in attendance at the first council meeting of the three administrators. It shows their continuing concern for the community is
real regardless of now being just like the rest of us, which they always were.
The administrators must have a continuing dialogue with the community as deemed under the Local Government Act.
There are no comparisons with Liverpool Council. There were no neighbourhood community meetings, most of the zonings were straight forward.
But the Illawarra is different. A diversity of zonings with the most important ones dealing with significant, sensitive environmental areas. From the National Heritage Listed Royal National Park and Garrawarra Conservation Areas around Helensburgh including water catchment Special Areas to way down south involving the Illawarra Escarpment and even the coastal communities.
Already there is new significant destruction to the escarpment rim at Stanwell Tops that unbelievably is deemed legal and a sad day for all in the Illawarra.
Communities must put politics aside and work together to keep an eye on their area. It is good to see this is already happening. Dubious developers must not win.
Alan Bond
An ICAC for private enterprise
In regards to the Fraternity Club woes, it’s a pity that ICAC does not look into private business, considering some of the people involved have appeared before ICAC in regards to their roles at Wollongong City Council.
In articles in the Mercury, it was shown that the Frat’s financial woes were soon revealed after one character left the Frat. It was soon after this, again reported in the Mercury, the WCC experienced their loss of $1.5 million in a waste into energy fiasco.
The same character involved left a distinctive trail of incompentence yet still managed to get up the ladder.
Yes, it’s a pity that private enterprise doesn’t have ICAC, but then again, would they ever find anyone guilty to more than just give a slap over the wrist? Certainly the public would never know the embarrassment but maybe the shareholders would.
Alan Bond | 
