This is not the first letter of concern, nor the last, just a little reminder that we, the residents, could do with a bit of help. 

On our weekly shopping list are multiple cans of insecticide, both air repellent  and personal. l have inhaled so much l don't  even smell it any more. I’m thinking maybe l should donate my body to science.

Lantana having only surface roots is not hard to remove. l personally cleared my acreage by hand, so if an old codger like me can do it, surely council can do their bit.

I reckon the cost of one contractor with a small truck and bobcat, on a permanent contract, could rid Dora Creek and most of western Lake Macquarie of the lantana infestation and help reduce the concentration of mozzies. If l lived on the northern or eastern side of the lake l would not be writing this letter. So how about it? We also pay our fair share of council rates.

- Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek

IT appears Save our Rail might have lost the fight and the way the corridor is shaping – first a university now housing –  I wonder what "Glads" has on the agenda for the rest. Bet it’s not for the people.

- Colin Atkins, Wyong

OUR government’s plans to make it harder to gain citizenship are a step in the right direction. If we don't put a high price on citizenship how can we expect new arrivals to respect it? A review of our dual citizenship arrangements is also long overdue.

- Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth

WITH Donald Trump not charging the American people for his services, cynics could at least claim they are getting value for their money.

- Ron Elphick, Buff Point

SCIENCE is simply finding out how things work. The more sophisticated the question, the greater the need for more advanced equipment and understanding.

- John McLennan, Charlestown

MIGRANTS will face a tougher citizenship test which will assess their commitment to the Australian values and their attitudes to religious freedom and gender equality. Thank God our now Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was not standing on the balcony of his Sydney home, overlooking Sydney Harbour when the First Fleet arrived. As Mr Turnbull would have further unfairly punished vulnerable future citizens.

- Robert Bowne, Marks Point

AT last Tony Abbott has got something right, Bill Shorten will be our next prime minister. He would be our prime minister now had the Coalition gone to the last election with Tony Abbott leading the party. Malcolm Turnbull was the most popular person in the country after he rolled Tony Abbott and the reason his popularity has plummeted, I think, is because he has kept the same policies as Tony Abbott and run the country on knee jerk thought bubbles. Come the next election I believe the Australian people will show their disappointment at the ballot box. 

- Robert Watson, Swansea

MITCHELL Moses (and many others) wants to break his contract. Why sign one if it is not honored? The opposition wants a new Brexit referendum in England. Will they have another go if they do not get what they want? Similarly with Mr Trump in the USA. Voting could go on forever.

- John Maxwell Hollingsworth, Hamilton