I am not convinced that the amalgamation of some local government areas is necessarily a bad thing.

I have long held the general view that Australia with its three tiers of government to look after a mere 22 million people is over governed.

The cities of Tokyo, Delhi and Shanghai each have more people than the whole of Australia.

One federal, six state, two territorial and five hundred and sixty local governments seem a bit excessive to me.

We complain about the number of regulatory government controls over our everyday lives but tolerate the multitude of duplicate and parallel bureaucracies amongst our three levels of government.

It may well be that fewer and larger local governments would be a step in the right direction.

Let’s have some objective arguments both for and against amalgamation and not just opposition from vested interests.

John Martin, Woonona

I am very tired of reading all the negative comments from the Shellharbour ratepayers towards merging with Wollongong.

Has it ever occurred to them that Wollongong ratepayers would not want a bar of Shellharbour council?  

As a resident and full ratepayer of Wollongong City I am very proud of our council, the way it has developed and the excellent services it provides.

They certainly exceed Shellharbour.

Wollongong Council has excellent environmental programs and focus, they are providing great community events and focus on  leisure and culture for the residents in art galleries, libraries, exhibitions, botanical  gardens and parks.

The enforcement and regulation, waste services and council facilities are excellent. The council staff  provide outstanding service.

I would not want to merge with any other council, especially Shellharbour with half the services provided to ratepayers.

Leave Wollongong Council as it is - 100 per cent against a merger.  

April Simpson, Keiraville

I wish to address the comments made by Gareth Ward and others that if the residents of Shellharbour were against the merger with Wollongong Council there would be a lot more hue and cry.

On Tuesday I attended the Reddall Reserve breakfast near Warilla Beach to welcome our new Citizens and enjoy the Australia Day festivities.

I also spent several hours asking people to sign the petition “Save our City”

It was incredible – most times I could barely finish the sentence before people were reaching for the pen to sign.

And yes there were some who refused and yes they cited either the Hub or the possibility of improved services at reduced costs.

But guess what? They were a small minority and would have been no more than ten to fifteen percent of those polled.

So when editorialising about a lack of interest or meek acceptance – please understand there is a quiet anger within the community about this forced merger and that shouldn’t be mistaken for resignation.

John Davey, Mt. Warrigal

A big shout out to the works & maintenance people at the Wollongong City Council.  

I reported a blocked stormwater drain over the Australia Day long weekend.

The blockage was attended to and fixed very quickly.  

Great service.

Pete Rainbird, Figtree