We desperately need a return to a council's core business | Letter

The Bathurst people don't deserve this fractured, incompetent council.

The lack of understanding of a council's core business and what the ratepayer wants is for all to see.

For example, some big ticket items. If a survey was held of Bathurst people and on offer was a second crossing to Kelso, a long-term water security plan for the city to cushion against future droughts, and a well-earned rate pause after 25 years, I know what the answer would be.

Instead, we have a council going on a frolic of wasted public spending without proper modelling, lacking funds for a go-kart track, a second track that private enterprise would not touch, a $2.2 million loan with repayments of $20,000 a month, and a TAFE building that the State Government was glad to offload.

These combined projects have used up hard-earned rate dollars in the millions with no tangible outcomes.

Their band-aid stormwater scheme will not cut it and deliver sufficient security.

Even now they want to divert the kart loan on to other projects when it should be cancelled, handed back as not fit for purpose, plus we have other citizens wanting council to spend upwards of $5 million on the TAFE building.

Enough is enough. Stop the spend on projects that mean very little to the vast majority of ratepayers.

Farm the TAFE building out to private enterprise and see what the market says.

Councillors, work with Centroc (Central West councils) to advance in time a new highway to Sydney. As the federal member has said, let's not forget the Bells Line expressway. Country mayors want this for tourism and regional productivity.

We know the Great Western Highway, with severe speed limits, will never be a highway no matter what spin is put on it.

Bring people back into the city by moderate density lifestyle living blended with heritage that arrests the empty shops and decline.

There are lyrics in a song, "the time has come". It well and truly has for this council.

Renewal is essential to advance this city we are all proud of. A future council needs to stick mainly to core business - rates, roads and rubbish - and only spend funds on projects that the modelling ticks.