In her book she explains that electricity as a commodity is unique and that it is therefore unsuitable for being left to the demands of ‘‘the market’’.  She explains how the privatisation of electricity supply in a number of countries has led to manipulation of the market, deliberately caused blackouts and neglect of proper maintenance and timely development of new infrastructure. 

 This is the natural result of allowing electricity to be controlled by organisations which are only interested in maximising profits and dividends.

We do not have to guess what will happen when the electricity supply is privatised; we already know.  Prices will increase and the supply of electricity will become inconsistent.  The electricity supply system is too important to be sold off to private interests.  We should not allow the current government to sell off yet another major asset, merely to cover its ongoing expenses.  If we do, we will not have to wait long to regret it.

Bronwyn Bryceson, Mangerton

The cost of $25million  to upgrade the disabled access to Unanderra station seems excessive but has the possibility of a tunnel ever been considered?

A tunnel could be built under the three railway lines with a low gradient with access to both sides of the station’s platforms. There are several tunnels with low gradient evident at railway stations in Sydney, especially Central Station. A part of an underground tunnel could be pre-fabbed for under the railway lines so this would not cause a major disruption to the three railway tracks, during construction.

A tunnel would allow free flow of pedestrians; both able bodied and disabled, with low ongoing maintenance costs.

Surely if a tunnel could be built under the Sydney Harbour, a tunnel could be built under three railway lines in Unanderra.

David Skeates, Dapto

They say there are two things in life we can be sure of – death and taxes. But I’d suggest a third if you live in the Illawarrra – with an approaching election the key topics, or promises, are disability access for Unanderra Railway Station or the Maldon-Dombarton line – depending on whether it’s a state or federal election.

 Noreen Hay has been wheeled out from a self-imposed withdrawal (well, she’s hardly been visible the past few years, has she?) to once again promise that if elected, she will ensure disability access at Unanderra station. No mention of the years that state Labor was in power and inertia reigned in the Illawarra.

 Wake up, people of the Illawarra – surely we can do better than the current incumbent. Time for a change!

Jan Lang, Figtree

What an awful mess – the centre strip of motorway  between Towradgi Road and Wollongong – who  is supposed to be taking care of this?  It is a disgrace.

We saw all the old plants, weeds etc, cleaned out, lovely new low growing bottlebrush trees planted and ground cover for comfort – but it has had no maintenance since. 

 The red bottlebrush trees are struggling against weeds that are growing higher than them. Such a shame.

Please get something done before these  strangled natives  get completely overwhelmed  with weeds  and die.

Patricia Bowman, Corrimal