So many are affected in such different ways the only way to make sense of it all is to ask this question, what if we don't help each group in question?

Simply, the farmers are akin to the banks, they can't be allowed to fail.

So vital to rural and regional Australia and even more vital to the needs of cities, priority must be given to them.

We are now at the stage of needing to save the breeding stock of our farm herds as a priority. We are past midnight on this need and an emergency declaration is needed as to ensure the retention of our generic animal capital.

The issue of envy then arises as other groups such as small business asks, what about us?

As important as you are to regional and rural Australia, the plight of the farm herds must take priority. Past failures to secure water security initiates such as dams, must be given a lower priority and addressed at a later date.

Demands from the government for past failures will increase in frequency and costs. This will require the PM and his ministers to temper their responses with much compassion and a clarity so that they might satisfy the unease and the fear gripping many in our drought ravaged communities.

There is an opportunity to create a river precinct where the town can meet the river. No one is going to travel to Nowra for lunch or dinner to look over a car park. It would bring a lot more tourism into the town.

There have been excuses from council that it's prone to flooding, which is garbage as there is adequate engineering out there to complete an appropriate development.

Its widely known within the area that the council wants the tourism to be pushed out to beach areas such as Huskison etc. Speak to any locals and its unanimous that we all want a river precinct.

With early shots of candidates for Shoalhaven City Council the local Labor Party's venture into local goverment leaves a lot to be desired. It is hoped if Labor runs again in the council election they put up some true believers to represent the battlers and push good sound infrastructure for the city and ratepayers as independent councillors Bob Proudfoot and Patricia White have done.

What about council's plans to widen Taylors Lane by clearing all of the magnificent trees lining both sides of the roadway? Many of these trees (mostly spotted gums) would be in excess of 150 years old and are developing hollows needed by many native birds and mammals for shelter and breeding. Surely this laneway can be retained for walking and cycling, with a new road constructed to the north or south of the lane.

RMS has always assured North Nowra residents that the Illaroo Road intersection with the highway will remain open at the present capacity during construction and I have written assurance from RMS to this effect. RMS also advised that the Northern Collector Road is a separate Council project.