In this regard I support Grant Schultz in calling on Labor to commit to fixing all the mobile black spots in Gilmore and not just those in Nowra and south. Whilst the little mobile phone stunt in South Nowra by Labor's candidate made for good print media, it is far from a commitment to fixing the problem and merely serves to reinforce the growing perception that Labor has abandoned the north.

As we approach Anzac Day 2019, Grant's comments are also a timely reminder that we should thank our police brothers and sisters like Grant and his wife Beck for their service in places like East Timor - perhaps it's best to use a landline if calling from north of the Nowra Bridge.

Unions Shoalhaven is concerned about the statement released by the Member for Kiama and the Member for the South Coast that if re-elected the LNP will fund $125M million for a loop on the rail line at Toolijooa.

The Member for Kiama said the infrastructure upgrade will give the capacity to nearly double the level of connecting services between Kiama and Bomaderry to a least 70 per cent and also create capacity to deliver 30 minute service in peak hours and a regular 60 minute service in off-peaks.

The Member for the South Coast sees this as a down payment on starting the construction of a fast rail network next term.

Firstly we would like to stress this is not high speed rail, nor does it advance the cause of getting high speed rail. Indeed on the surface of what's said it makes no difference to speed or its advancement.

It is unclear what is envisaged for train sets - we simply can't tell if any of the $125 million is for anything other than contributing to the costs of the passing loop or upgrade to Bomaderry Station.

The future of rolling stock to be used? In the short term it has to be the existing diesel class, and they would need the doubling of them. That means a change of trains at Kiama and the extra time and hassle that adds, especially for people with luggage not to mention people with disabilities.

Electrification needs to occur for the changeover of trains at Kiama to be avoided. For example, the new intercity train fleet to be applied in the corridor - so where is that in the plan?

We are not aware of any attempt to consider hybrid trains which can switch between diesel and electric power "on the fly", even though such technology is available, at least in Europe nowadays.

Nothing has been said about a rail crossing of Shoalhaven River, even though the government's Fast Rail release refers to Nowra. Are there any plans to follow up on a promise several years ago by the Member for Kiama that the new crossing of the river would make provision for rail as well as road enhancement?

Given the commitment of over $1.7 billion to the road corridor Kiama to Nowra, and now a promise of $950 million for road improvements south of Nowra, why isn't a larger sum being allocated to fixing up the rail?

Or will that be forgotten in the immense challenge of raising funding for the alleged $15 billion plus Princes Highway work from Falls Creek to the border?