Edward Kent, Suffolk Park
Council recently declared the acquisition of the old Byron hospital site for $1 a success? Now Council will have to foot the bill for all immediate building maintenance and future upkeep such as broken windows, graffiti removal, utility bills, lawns, pest control, and all the costs related to whatever social-assistance schemes they run out of it.
All of these expenses will have to be paid for by money coming out of the budget for Council’s main mandate of roads, development applications, parks and waste management – for which all local ratepayers have recently been hit with a sizeable rate hike.
By the way, since when did Council decide it would be appropriate to get into the social-assistance game anyway? That is clearly a state responsibility and with good reason. The word will spread encouraging the dysfunctional to head to Byron for freebies. This scenario is a sinkhole for money and other potential problems.
Then there is Council’s inability to protect its investments. Council recently redid the pavement and parking at Wategos. Despite doing a decent job, the crews were sure to leave lots of stones lying around on the road and Council obviously did nothing about the various driveways in the area that will only ensure new potholes will spring up in the redone road!
As for moving the clothing-optional beach to Belongil, what on Earth is Council thinking? Belongil serves as a great optional beach for many locals and families particularly in the silly season. The idea of turning that strip that many people walk their dogs through into a zone where saggy old men can hang their bits out is preposterous.
Come on, Council, wake up and serve the community with competent decisions in the long-term interest not ad hoc nonsense and pet projects.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
