Roundabout expense could buy 35 homes

Like most residents my wife and I support new community development and pay our taxes so that the work can be paid for.

We are not experts in judging the costs of the projects proposed, but query costs when the figures don't seem to add up, as is the case with a recent proposal for a very expensive roundabout at Ettalong at Picnic Pde and Maitland Bay Dr with an estimated cost of $7 million.

Various home builders are currently offering brand new four bedroom, two bathroom, double garage brick and tile homes on your land for $200,000.

Therefore, you could build 35 homes for the same amount this proposed roundabout.

Another proposal is to rebuild the ferry wharf and terminal at Woy Woy for an estimated $5.32 million.

The wharf and ferry terminal appears to incorporate far more expensive work than the couple of blobs of concrete being placed in the middle of a roadway at Ettalong.

Is it state, federal or local government who is controlling the spending of these funds and where do they get their costings from?

The monies they propose spending have been collected from the taxes we pay and that should always be taken into consideration by the people who are doing the figures.

We want and need development by our elected representatives to make your home and mine a better place to live in, but we don't expect to be taken for a ride.

Email, 6 Nov 2019

Rod Fountain, Booker Bay