Government has finally found the intestinal fortitude to comment on and try to correct Council's obstructive and frustrating attitude to progress and development by business people and entrepreneurs who could contribute so much to the improvement in the country's economy.
Council fees and planning theories are having such a negative effect when anyone with any sense knows that rules were made for the guidance of wise men, and the adherence of fools.
Public also know that if people find too many obstacles to development from planners with a textbook and clipboard under their arms, that the only people to pick up the Council debt problem is the long suffering and captive ratepayer who, if my research is accurate, have had a total gutful.
Planners often don't face or feel or have to recognise the realities of the real world, but lack of development for whatever reason leave the poor suffering ratepayer to pick up and pay for the shortfall of bad and outdated planning, decision and judgements, i.e. Omokoroa planning experiment.
As an example I often look at Bob Clarkson trying to do things we need, provide affordable housing to ordinary, modest income Kiwis which they badly need with some more expensive places to finance his dream, having to battle the bureaucrats and red-tape people.
Watch this space.

Norm Mayo,
Katikati Councillor, WBOPDC.