WHERE’S GARETH?
The article “Fisherman’s fight goes to Parliament” (Illawarra Mercury, Saturday, August 27) was not only important, in that it dealt with the future of a small local business under threat from NSW government excesses.
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It also suggested the possibility existing of a missing person scenario on a scale similar to that of the British Peer, Lord Lucan.
The person missing from the article “Fisherman’s fight goes to Parliament” was our own, self-promoting member for Kiama and parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra, Gareth Ward.
It is a matter of public record, the member for Kiama can always be depended upon to be in camera range whenever or wherever a self -promotional opportunity arises.
Seemingly it would only take a mention of a Digital Beta TV camera or possibly even a Box Brownie being onsite, to encourage the member for Kiama to attend the opening of an envelope.
So, in order to ease any possible public concern over the Member for Kiama’s absence from an immensely important local issue such as that reported upon in the article “Fisherman’s fight goes to Parliament” Mr. Ward might consider telling the citizens of the Illawarra just where he was at the time?
Barry Swan, Balgownie
BETTER SOLUTION NEEDED
Since heavy rainfall and storms the Broughton’s Pass Bridge, which is the major connection from Appin to Wilton, is now closed indefinitely.
With over 2000 people per day using this thoroughfare this closure is impacting on many local businesses and the general public that are not getting the usual Picton to Wilton flow through traffic that imparts passing or regular trade.
An example of this: A local business is slowly going broke. The owner lives in Appin and delivers hay bales to Wilton/Douglas Park and Picton farms and hobby farms. The extra travel of one hour each way is removing any profit he usually makes through extra petrol etc.
Local school children have to travel an extra hour each way to get to school through Campbelltown.
Local council, Wollondilly, has had a restriction on this bridge for over sixteen years with no maintenance services.
Many residents have signed a petition to the local council to carry out the necessary repairs to open it up to traffic asap.
Council has had an open day on site to allay residents fears. This just seemed to be a stalling tactic. Three different stories about why council can’t fix the bridge :
- Unsure of the bridge footings.
- Drill rigs not available for exploratory drilling. Local resident who is in this industry voiced he could have one there the next day.
- The area needs to settle for a period of time before work could commence.
As I’m in the excavation and earthmoving business I consider all of these explanations a joke.
The bridge could be opened in one week for one lane of traffic while repairs are carried out.
Here’s hoping for a quick and more permanent solution.
Mark Byrnes, Appin
TICKETS ‘NOT RIGHT’
For the two days there was an annual show by our school children at the WEC
To have the parking police booking parents, late at night, whilst trying to pick up their children after the show, for parking on the grass around Lang Park (South Beach) due to a lack of parking facilities is a new low.
It incensed me that the council would not even respond to the queries about these antics.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, show some intestinal fortitude.
This is not right from any perspective.
Scott Cornell, Mount Keira