Scare tactics !

The suggestion that Wollongong council was thinking about selling this city's crematorium brought a negative reaction from many residents.

Many will take with a grain of salt the latest statement that the crematorium " might " need to have the furnace replaced " in about ten years time " - at a cost of $ 500,000.

It's the oldest trick in the world. If you want to get people thinking about a big bill hanging over their head - use scare tactics and suggest a way of making that problem go away !

What is more interesting is what wasn't said. The statement ducked and dodged and declined to give details of how profitable the crematorium is at supplementing council funds. Like drawing teeth, the council only admits to a " modest profit " - and claims that any more details would be " commercially sensitive " - and give competitors an edge. Whatever that means !

It seems the crematorium has been kept up to date. Funds have been used to convert the furnace from diesel to gas and there is every reason to think that it's need will expand rather than contract.

This is a growing area and space for ground burial is limited. With conservation in mind more people are now opting for cremation rather than burial and a well run crematorium should be a money spinner for council finances.

It is hard to reason why there is this move to get rid of such a prime asset.

" Commercially sensitive " seems to be a great big whopping myth to hide the true state of it's finances.

The people of this city have a right to know all the facts before this idea goes any further !