Here's a reprint from Tauranga City Council website.

'The Mount base track was damaged in a slip in April 2017.Temporary steps are in place so visitors to the Mount can still walk the base track loop.

However, the steps are not suitable for prams, strollers or wheelchairs. We are working on a long-term solution that reroutes the track'.

Now this is why Tauranga citizens should be outraged. Those temporary steps cost $640,000 to construct!

Two independent, highly qualified, private contractors recently viewed the site.

They stated that it would cost less than $200,000 to repair the slip site rather than $7million for council's proposed re-alignment.

Work could be completed in less than a month. So for over two years certain families have been deprived of this popular pathway due to bureaucratic bungling.

This council displays no fiscal restraint or good judgement. No wonder this city is half a billion dollars in debt.

They're quite prepared to squander our money on lunacy projects such as above or the disgusting transformation of Phoenix Park which cost nearly $4million.

Come October we need to oust them all and introduce councillors who truly understand the value of money and display common sense.

Tony Fellingham, The Lakes