The cost-analysis of rhetoric

With the election countdown upon us, it’s time for the candidates to sway us over with a cost-analysis of their promises. 

Potholes are of course an issue, but how are we going to fund it? Council’s operating budget was fairly tight last year, as is exemplified by the kerbside collection being scrapped.

A festival to replace roadside rubbish collection is also very left field, especially coming from the usually politically astute Paul Spooner.

And turning rail into cycle paths? Apart from the state government’s current rail feasibility study (which is the first sign in years something may actually happen), would there be a huge uptake in cycle use between towns, given the long distance?

The Mullum Woolies legal battle has been kicked around as a waste of public money, along with other legal forays.

However The Echo agrees with standing up to inappropriate development and there is a long history of it in this region.

In Woolies’ case it was totally appropriate and Council was correct in doing what it could to preserve the town’s character.

It’s worth remembering that underdeveloped areas on the planet have real value because they are underdeveloped.