I agree entirely with your concerns about your efforts to have a graffiti hotline.

Dapto Rotary, in conjunction with Wollongong City Council, have a direct hotline which calls are directed to be listed in priority order, then given to WCC and myself for removal.

I am disappointed that Sutherland Council has informed you that there is no specific hotline for this purpose.

The benefits of Rotary involvement in graffiti removal ensures low expenditure to councils, and hence ratepayers due to free labour provided by Rotarians.

The Rotary Club of Dapto's involvement promotes positive attitudes in the community while at the same time acknowledgement of local and State Government’s support, further advertises their combined involvement and commitment to to address the graffiti problem.

Mick Chamberlain,Graffiti Coordinator, Dapto Rotary

Response to "Toilet training takes a year" (Illawarra Mercury, January 13, 2016), what a load of crap. 

Shellharbour MP Anna Watson nailed it when she stated "the toilets should have been built as part of the Shellharbour Junction Station - rather than as an optional extra".

Anyone who has used temporary toilets is aware they do not always work and have extremely limited room, so the inconvenience to rail commuters is simply disgraceful.

In some ways this issue is similar to the issue of Unanderra Station which has no lift for people with disabilities and the elderly.

The State Liberal government of Premier Michael Baird seems to need a reality check.

Basic facilities such as toilets and lifts are normal and reasonable requirements for a railway station, not extravagance or optional extras.

Politicians are good at giving themselves all the facilities and conveniences, yet at times have difficulty giving the public the same.

No wonder people hold such skeptical views of politicians.

Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow

As a new resident to the area I find it appalling the State Government has not consulted with the local community and mandated councils without appropriate briefings that this merger is to take place.

Premier Baird needs to realise the current delivery of services is already stretched and the amalgamation of the councils and the boundary changes will only stretched further as exemplified with the cutting of NPWS staffing and the creation of super depots, also exemplified through the NSW Police force being under resourced.

The current climate in the Illawarra with Bluescope and various other business closures within the Illawarra will not cope with the closure of councils and the possible loss of jobs.

Centralising LGA management boundaries only looks good on paper and KPMG did exactly the same with ally be other agencies that they have audited.

I have had great dealings with SCC and wish to continue to do so, specifically in the area that I work.

The current local environmental planning policies are different as are many other policies within the two councils.

SCC deliver business on a very personal level and have a great rapport with the community and would endeavour to continue to see it that way.

I am a supporter of Premier Baird and I commend some of the work that he has done or should I say “was”.

If this goes ahead my vote is gone as will others.

Nathan Cattell, Killalea State Park