The commuters of the Illawarra are tired of being treated poorly and are making sure their voice is heard.

The NSW Government claims it cares as it tinkers around the edges with small changes and stop-gap measures.

Even worse, they announce major initiatives such as new trains but the more we look into it the more it appears they will hinder, not help, the people travelling on the Illawarra-South Coast line.

Commuter Clarence Slockee thought he would be avoiding peak hour train traffic when he boarded in Wollongong on a Sunday night, but not so. 

Mr Slockee knows too well the congestion which is now rife on our trains and that meant many on that trip from Wollongong to Sydney were forced to stand for the entire trip.

“Afternoon peaks are getting heavier and heavier,” Mr Slockee said.

“I’ve been living in Wollongong and travelling to Sydney for the past 10 years and it’s getting busier and busier.”

The scene on Sunday is indicative of the situation facing the commuters to and from this region.

A scene which clearly shows a system under stress.

What happens to systems under stress?

Ultimately, something breaks and it is only then governments scurry around trying to find the resolutions and solutions they should have been searching for in the first place.

This has gone on long enough and it is time for a change.

Congratulations to the Illawarra Hawks’ Mitch Norton and Nick Kay (pictured) for being selected for national duties.

Norton and Kay have been named in the Boomers 12-man lineup for the FIBA Asia Cup next month. The selection is a major tick for the Hawks’ program under the stewardship of arguably the best coach in the NBL, Rob Beveridge.

It could also be strongly argued Hawks centre AJ Ogilvy is the major omission from the Boomers line-up after being the standout bigman in the NBL over the past two seasons.

During their time in the Illawarra Kay and Norton have become much loved members of the team and the local fans. Congratulations Mitch and Nick on doing the Illawarra proud.