Perhaps Tauranga City councillor Matt Cowley, in his Weekend Sun column ‘The Deep Budget Massage Begins' (February 7), should try some basic brain cell exercises before proposing a 4.7 per cent stormwater levy on rates to continue for 10 years.

Council could try a little common sense and not hand out building consents for low-lying, flood-prone areas.

While they're about it, they could also contemplate the possibility ratepayers should be their first priority; not the whims of property developers.

There may well be some basic stormwater issues that need addressing, but this does not excuse council for continuing to allow housing and industrial developments in swamp areas of Papamoa and Tauriko.

I suggest councillors and their advisors share personal fiscal liability for their poor decisions.

This way council might be more prudent in getting sound geological and engineering advice before granting consents; and they might also monitor such consents carefully to ensure adherence to consent conditions.

Ratepayers are not there to fork out funds for council incompetence.

Y James, Tauriko.