The council has revealed it’s legal costs in fighting the forced amalgamation with the Wollongong City Council so far sits at over $200,000.

 Well, $216,449.86 to be exact.

That legal bill, potentially, could get a lot bigger.

The Shellharbour City Council was ordered to pay the government’s legal costs by the Land and Environment after their last unsuccessful appeal and the government estimated that figure to be around the $65,000 at this stage.

Yet the council is appealing that decision.

It will be taking the fight all the way to the NSW Court of Appeal.

From there, costs could mount significantly if unsuccessful.

The Illawarra Mercury, among others, had called for the legal fee figure to be released.

Initially the council was reluctant, issuing a general press release stating costs to date “are well within council’s current annual budget”.

That answer was not good enough.

Credit to the council though for unanimously supporting a motion moved by deputy mayor John Murray and seconded by Cr Kellie Marsh to reveal the costs.

At least ratepayers can now make a judgement on their own accord as to whether their hard-earned has been well spent or not.

Only time will tell on that front though and it’s likely to be a burden residents of both Wollongong and Shellharbour will carry into the future.

While 2016 has not been the Year of the Dragon, it has certainly been the Year of the Frizell. St George Illawarra Dragon star Tyson Frizell has had a superb year and it’s been justly rewarded with a place in the national side alongside team-mate Josh Dugan.

Thursday’s edition will see a new addition to the Illawarra Mercury team with Illawarra Hawks coach Rob Beveridge launching a new column. We are delighted to have the NBL’s best coach on board for what promises to be an exciting 2016-17 season. Don’t miss Bevo’s Playbook each Thursday.