Behind the ongoing indifference shown towards the concerns of the long suffering train travellers of the South Coast Line lies a myriad of Railway Operational Indifference.

In meeting the requirements of any modern world rail requirements, our local railway system rates just 2 out of 10.  It’s a fine weather line which is frequently knocked out of operation by wet weather, land slips, and high winds.

It frequently requires anything up to seven locomotives to haul loads up the steep winding grades to Sydney, the massive amount of diesel fuel required to power these slow moving trains adds millions of dollars to transport costs, and prevents an efficient passenger train timetable from becoming a reality.

The Stanwell Park Viaduct is nearing the end of its useful life, and the only back-up available, The Moss Vale Line, needs big dollars spending on it.  A new tunnel all the way from Wollongong to Waterfall is in fact, quite affordable and essential.

With no Maldon-Dombarton Line ever likely to eventuate, we urgently need a modern reliable rail system to access the much lauded jobs and growth that has failed to eventuate in our region.

This Transport Minister never mentions the millions he pays out for the Werris Creek to Armidale train service, which interestingly has just one passenger train a day in each direction and no freight trains.  Hundreds of kilometers of political pork-barrel  to keep Barnaby Joyce in parliament.

Helensburgh has long been owed a free bus service to convey passengers to its own railway station. Forget Politicians, we are on our own.

Dave Cox, Corrimal

On Sunday morning watching an ABC discussion between the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s James Pearson and Ged Kearney of the ACTU.  I personally was struck by how selfish Ms Kearney and her mob are! As Mr Pearson explained, only 3 per cent of Australia’s lowest paid workers are going to lose their penalty rates.

Not too much of a sacrifice for the greater good of the nation I say. Acting PM Barnaby Joyce in an earlier ABC interview, spoke about his personal sacrifice to the penalty rate issue that morning, on his way to the interview.

Although knowing McDonalds breakfast are cheaper he deliberately sought out a local pie shop instead.  Now, I thought, this is a politician putting his money where his mouth is. But back to Mr. Pearson; for he has a real handle on the human aspect of abolishing penalty rates.

I personally, am right on board with both Messrs Pearson and Joyce, what the HECK after all, it is only 3 per cent of the people.

“Let them eat cake,” I say.  Now to more important matters: Knowing a growing boy like Barnaby needs more than a pie for breakfast, possibly James took Barnaby to James’s luxury yacht for some ham and eggs?   

Barry Swan, Balgownie

I attended the recent community consultation meeting held to explain the proposed reopening of the Russell Vale mine “Miner seeks 5 more years in new plan” (Illawarra Mercury, July 10). I recently retired  to Wollongong and was shocked to hear that one outbound coal truck would pass along Bellambi Lane and onto Memorial Drive every 3.75 minutes during the day and one every 5 minutes till 10 pm. They would have a max speed of 50kmh. Just imagine that at peak hours. Presumably that number would be doubled to account for trucks returning to the mine.

I am not qualified to evaluate anything except the noise and terrible traffic disruption that would ensue.

Judy Mitchell, Tarrawanna