As a nation we have become world experts in planning, not so great on delivery.  For the Illawarra there are libraries of regional planning and growth strategies with the promise of more to come. These plans are well written, but surely we can agree on a single plan and focus attention and resources on delivery rather than on more consultants and glossy reports.

Some plans like the Maldon-Dombarton rail link have been reviewed and re-reviewed since 1954. While Elvis might have been talking about something else with his 1968 classic, ‘A little less conversation, a little more action‘ the lyrics should become a motto for all within government.  

The Illawarra requires commitments to progress key strategic projects that provide long term economic, employment opportunities and social benefits for current and future generations. There is a desperate need to address infrastructure bottlenecks on roads, rails and ports across Australia.  Infrastructure Australia estimates that between $450 billion and $770 billion must be invested over the next decade to meet our nation’s needs.  

Improved transport connections in and out of this region, measures to support the already important tourist industry, improved inter-regional connectivity and relocation of key government support services are just a few examples of projects that would provide a lasting economic contribution for the Illawarra.  These initiatives should be committed to now rather than being the subject of further reviews and expensive planning processes. Planning is important.  Action is essential.

Chris Lamont, Illawarra Business Chamber and Illawarra First

The recent test match series in india was good to watch with dominant home side advantage like we have seen in the passed. Since pitch monitoring become a formal thing since 2006 , 7 pitches have been reported as unfit or worse, 5 of them were in India. Pitch preparation in India is a very sinister business, curators if you call them that can do what they like.

Yes I do understand that all pitches are judged solely on how they play between bat and ball, but having spinners open the bowling in a test match and not having seamers bowl at all. That to me is not a test match as far as I am concerned, the pitches in India and all of Asia are far from being model pitches they are not and will never be test match standard pitches .

Matty Ryan, Fairy Meadow

Journalist Glen Humphries has poured Printers Ink all over the growing poor performance record of Southern Phones.  I have been with this Telco for many years, and there is no doubt whatsoever that service is going from bad to worse at this Government Owned Company. Un-disputable proof of this came when I renewed my contract with the firm only to find that my service had been switched to budget carrier TPG, but at a much higher cost without the benefits of free International Calls. I could have got a better deal directly from TPG and saved money. Southern is just about the only Telco still based on Australian Shores.

Strangely, they only provide a very limited service on weekends, with no technical support whatsoever. A change of Management and Policy is long overdue with this firm, and endless lame excuses about the countless things that seem to go wrong must end. You cannot provide good reliable service on a shoestring budget with not enough qualified staff to support it. Australians rightfully expect the best in communications services. 

Dave Cox, Corrimal

John Macleod,Berry