We read in the Border today that higher rates are here to stay based on community feedback to the Councils' 2030 plan. Apparently the community's feedback to the 2030 plan has given the Council a mandate to move forward. I guess that means that we approve of what they are doing and are quite happy to pay for it all.
Of course people want things (who doesn't?) but we should always ask the supplementary question. How much are you prepared to pay for it? Then we might get different feedback.
Why not set a budget in which some of these big projects are clearly costed for the community so that they can see the impact on their rates when they choose certain projects. Then we might get some clearer view of how much the community wants these things rather than just the motherhood statements that come when you ask questions in the following form:
Would you like to save the Uiver?
Would you like to save the Cumberoona?
Would you like to save the old flour mill?
Would you like an upgrade of the art gallery? and so on.
All of these might be admirable projects but can we afford them and are we prepared to pay by way of higher rates. Are there ways we can save money so that we can have some of these things or are there other funding avenues?
As I am intending to stand for Council in September I would appreciate any feedback you might have to my comments here.
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