In my opinion the invisible border is the Cockle Creek, Five Islands Road area, rather than Toronto. Yes, Toronto is currently undergoing a main street renovation, but that’s only due to damage caused by fig trees.

I recently had overseas visitors stay with me and many comments where made during their stay about the state of our roads and parks, the general lack of upkeep, and the lack of kerbs, gutters and footpaths. I guess we longtime residents have become used to what they pointed out.

Consider the quality of sporting fields and amenities below the invisible border - apart from Lyall Peacock Field and Finnan Oval in Blackalls Park - they are not only few and far between, but of poor quality.

I have been involved in junior sport all my life and it is embarrassing when my son plays sport at his home ground and visiting teams come to play. Often comments are made and I always offer them the opportunity to call our council and complain.

In regards to Warners Bay, our council is currently wasting a massive amount of money on a waterfront redevelopment, even installing a feature called the Blue Streak, which is apparently an underwater reflective strip of some sort that glows at night.

I have voiced all these concerns with council and the responses received were typical of a council not giving two hoots about anyone below the invisible border.

- G McDonald, Coal Point

OVER 12 weeks ago I contacted council about a blocked drain on the corner of Pearson Street and Harbour Street, Bonnells Bay. I rang back after six weeks and was told it had been reported and would be fixed by May. Of course it still hasn’t even been looked at.

On this corner, the drain is not only blocked, but there is a danger that cars that take the corner too close will fall down into the drain. The footpath opposite it is overgrown and when we ask for it to be mowed, there is no action. Large trees have branches that are falling and dangerous, and it is overgrown with grass and weeds.

It’s a pity I can’t just stop paying rates till some sort of work is done here. I would save a fortune. But I should have realised that we belong to nowhere land and that the council don’t give a damn about this area.

What does it take to get some work done in this area? I pay my rates on time ever time and get nothing. But I live in hope that one day these things may just get done. I just hope it is in my lifetime.

- J Treacy, Bonnells Bay

THREE weeks after a superb resurfacing job on Brighton Avenue, Toronto, council’s roadwork crews were digging it up again, in chunks! The rare pleasure and novelty of an unblemished stretch of road in these parts was short lived. Congratulations to the team that did the initial job to such a high standard, but they must be wondering why they bother. Just slap it on any old how because back at HQ the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is up to.

- Peter King, Toronto

I HAVE noticed at quite a few popular parks within Lake Macquarie City that there aren't any recycling bins available. I’ve seen, particularly at parks with boat launching ramps, the amount of different recyclables inside a rubbish bin. 

I think that the council needs to have separate recycling bins available for the general public to use. I know many parks where these bins can be placed.  

I've seen evidence of this effectively being used in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney. Our council should do the same and also put more recycling bins in public areas such as outside shops and shopping centres. 

- Craig Aungle, Morisset Park