WHY do people ascribe to the mantra "user pays" without using a modicum of common sense and a dash of intelligence with a little investigation before singing the songs of praise to that god of economics user pays?
I ask of myself the following: Do I want public libraries in the community? Yes, I do.
Do I want public swimming pools in the community? Yes. Do I want public parks, sporting fields, public dog parks, skate parks and bowls. Yes to all of those.
Do I want public jetties and boat ramps? Yes, I do.
Do I want free disposal of waste at the tip. Yes. I could go on, ad infinitum.
Do I use any of these facilities? The answer is mostly no, I do not use them at all. I occasionally use a public park or jetty have used the tip once in five years, but none of the other facilities.
Do I expect to pay for these public facilities that I don't use? Yes, I do.
Why would I want to pay for all these public facilities that I never use? Surely I would be better off under "user pays"?
These public facilities add vitality, health and better living conditions to my community, which means a healthier, happier community with fewer social problems.
I want children particularly to learn to swim, to learn to enjoy reading, to play sport, to enjoy parks and to have places for relaxation and to help them to become good community citizens when they grow up.
User pays? No thank you. I want all these facilities I don't use to continue in public hands and am happy to pay for them out of my rates.
Well done, Redland City Council. Keep up the good work.
Lynden Christophers, Wellington Point