Seven Mile Beach is certainly a wonderful drawcard for locals and visitors alike, providing many different recreational opportunities, and as Mr Ashton correctly stated, it is about sharing the beach.

However, Australia also has one of the highest native animal extinction rates in the world. In a list of animals heading towards extinction, are a few birds who nest and raise their young on beaches in the Shoalhaven, including Seven Mile Beach. 

These birds are endangered mostly because their nesting environment is precarious. On exposed beaches, they are under constant threat from the elements and predators.

Foxes are perhaps the biggest threat to the survival of our shorebirds, however disturbance by people and their pets (dogs and horses) also impact on the long term survival of these birds.  

We just ask that you leave a little bit of ‘breathing space’ for endangered shorebirds to raise their young.  The birds don’t take up much room our beaches, after all, there’s not too many of them left. 

Walk your dogs or ride your horses, but leave some room for the birds. Small changes in our behaviour can make a big difference, failure or success. 

This is the first occasion I have been compelled to write and send a letter to the editor despite wishing to do so many times in the past. The reason for not writing was due to my former role in the Member for South Coast’s office for eight years. 

I can say that in my experience dealing with and working for state and federal members of Parliament for almost a decade, there is no one more dedicated and committed than the Member for South Coast. 

Just because Mrs Hancock doesn’t feel it necessary to put out a press advisory for every event, meeting, community function she attends or take a photo every time she opens a letter or answers a telephone call, should not give Mr Cumberland call to question her commitment or work ethic. 

I know from personal and professional experience that Shelley prefers to get things done quietly and expediently rather than seek fame and glory which we see all too often from our politicians. 

I would also like to add that in my eight years working in Mrs Hancock’s office dealing and assisting local residents, not once did I speak with, or have cause to deal with Mr Cumberland despite his so-called concerns regarding local matters.

Let’s call this out for what it looks like, misogyny in its worst form from someone who continues slings personal attacks across the river into the neighbouring electorate at a qualified and successful representative.

Why has Shoalhaven City Council not taken the lead of Botany Bay City Council in Sydney and actually sought out the views of the community on the merger proposal with Kiama in a formalised way in the form of a city-wide plebiscite?

The people of the Shoalhaven have been treated like absolute mugs in respect to the forced marriage proposal by the state government.

They have been kept in the dark and drip-fed information at inconvenient times for any serious analysis to occur (for example, the Fit For The Future announcement was announcedjust seven days before Christmas).

Is Shoalhaven City Council terrified that the result that they receive will fly in the face of their desired outcome?

Is the state government scared that their inability to keep the people informed will come back to bite them where it hurts? 

Let's hope they would not be so cynical.