Those people obviously responsible for a recent spate of bushfires, particularly down south, deserve to be hanged not just locked up to get three meals a day and a reprieve some years down the track.

Our justice system is far too lenient on such people and hanging or incinerating them would seem the right way to go.

I’d normally be inclined to say hang them from the nearest tree, but that might prove difficult down south.

Another blow  

The demise of the Illawarra Hawks is just another nail in the coffin for our struggling city.

Once we could proudly point to the Steelers, Wolves and Hawks, but today things are very much different, which is quite sad.

And with the steelworks struggling what is the real future for this city?

Congratulations 

Congratulations to the Lake Illawarra Authority on celebrating its 21st birthday.

Often maligned over the years Doug Prosser and his henchmen have continued to work hard to ensure the entrance to the lake stays open and this somewhat hidden jewel in our crown remains in good shape.

Consultants getting last laugh  

It was terrible to read at the weekend that the Rudd Government has spent an estimated $400 million on consultancy fees, and that was last year alone.

The fees were paid for help with management, media and legal, all areas where you’d think an elected government should be able to make its own decisions.

It just supports what I suggested last week that many politicians and senior public servants are out of their depth trying to run this country.

A warning for the NRL 

It was hard work financially last season for most NRL clubs, but 2009 looks like being even tougher with an estimated 41 per cent of league clubs in financial distress.

Already the warning signs are out and about that some clubs will have to amalgamate to survive, but the St George–Illawarra Dragons seem confident they can survive this dangerous trend.

Anyway, who would they amalgamate with anyway? Cronulla perhaps!!

Let’s hope not

I heard a whisper at the weekend that two of the biggest stores down Warrawong way might be about to close.

If so it will send a tidal wave through the local business world.

West Dapto land plan under fire   

Opposition to the proposed extended educational college planned for West Dapto continues to grow with many locals firmly of the belief that the 50 hectare parcel of land being mooted for the new buildings is a floodplain which was never meant to be developed.

Other concerns include the huge size of the proposed “affordable accommodation” buildings and the close proximity to residents.

Another question being asked is what the proposed four storey workshops will be used for and what noise will be generated.

Further, the latest protest group advises me that they feel the entire community consultation process has been deceptive and inadequate.

In fact, they go as far as to suggest the real purpose of this development appears to be for high rise low income housing that will generate the return on the developers investment.

Sounds like the fight has only started.

Libs to hold local forum 

The office of local senator Concetta Fierravanti–Wells advises that the Shadow Minister for the Illawarra Greg Pearce, MLC will attend a special “planning for prosperity” forum in Wollongong this week.

Also there will be the State Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell and it will be held at the Wollongong Golf Club this Friday 13 February between 2.30pm and 3.45pm.

It will be a big week for the Libs with the Cunningham Electorate Committee to meet at Towradgi on Saturday.