What a surprise. For years now, those with power and money have been able to conduct their business at arm’s length from community scrutiny and the meddling of those inconsiderate individuals who take an interest in the future of their city.

This, unfortunately, is not new, but has descended to a new low in recent times, with the cancer of privatisation taking hold of government policy at federal, state and, sadly, local levels.

It is not good enough for the big end of town to gouge their profits using their own assets; now they expect to get their hands on the people’s assets as well.

Whether it is electricity and water, our transport systems or public land, the big boys and girls demand it and governments give it to them.

We have seen this in attempts to sell off and commercialise Killalea State Park and Wollongong Harbour. These attempts were fought and defeated by the people of this region, who united to defend the public interest and the common good - principles governments find challenging these days.

Thankfully, the people of Wollongong understand and value our public and community assets far more than governments and big business realise.

It’s interesting to note that when businesses protect their assets, they are exercising their legitimate rights to defend their business interests. When the people struggle to defend their public land and assets, they are accused of playing politics.

This is about power, and those that have it don’t want to share it with the people.

With this in mind, I and many others in the community are concerned with the Wollongong council decision to initiate a process that may see the lease of Gleniffer Brae and outright sale of land at that precinct to the University of Wollongong.

Our concern is not because consideration is being given to the university using part of that site for educational purposes. This has merit and appears to have support in the community. The problem is that the university, not content to lease this land, wants to own it as well.