PUT THE INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE ON HOLD - Cr Pepperell
I have consistently warned that we face serious economic times over the last six years. Furthermore I’m of the belief that we are about to take a turn for the worse and that we must face affordability issues in a more urgent way. We are quickly moving into the worst recession in 100 years and are witnessing the complete unwinding of our financial and economic system.
Many economists are forecasting an L shaped recession. What is needed is a crisis approach in order that the citizens survive this difficult period.
I have been approached by many ratepayers who have bluntly stated that while the indoor sports centre is desirable such expenditure must be postponed. The burden of running the city at this time is about to become much more difficult for those who pay the bills. We are spending money that people just don’t have. I have no need to remind you of how much has been lost by the wealth destruction that has taken place. Incomes for many ratepayers have been slashed and investments lost. Living within our means couldn’t be more important at this time.
Over the weekend I attempted to travel to the eastern suburbs and was confronted with serious traffic congestion. The proposed Indoor sports centre will bring traffic to a standstill at peak times and make travelling to the airport and destination points extremely difficult. There will be calls for better roads to deal with the congestion. Even more expenditure will be required. Is that really what is wanted as the oil price begins to rise again?
posted by pepptalk at 7:44 PM
1 Comments:
Right on, Bryan. It would normally be a good thing to borrow to build large capital projects in bad times like these but alas the Council borrowed in the good times too so it shouldn't borrow much more.
Then there is the push by the governing faction of the Council to cap rates increase to 4% overall. It could be more with the commercial sector paying most of the increase but if they insist on this the $50 million they want to save over the next 10 years could be saved by deferring this Stadium.
Instead, we the residents of this City may well be penalised for recycling, something the Council told us we should do when they introduced rubbish bags.
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