IT’S a double whammy for Wodonga’s ratepayers — the cost of upgrading Elgin Boulevard and High Street has blown out $670,000 while, at the same time, the council has approved a conference visit to South Korea later this year.
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The cost blowout for the central road project is explained by contractors having to deal with the removal of contaminated soil, sewer damage and the protection of optic fibre cables.
The council will seek to recover $100,000 of the extra costs from Places Victoria but the rest of the overspend will be met by ratepayers.
Surely that is a reason for some discretion when it comes to other council expenditure?
On its own, the $15,000 cost to send Cr Lisa Mahood and chief executive Patience Harrington to South Korea for October’s Social Enterprise World Forum, is not an overwhelming impost.
There is a legitimate explanation that it is covered by provision for professional development for staff and councillors, and even that the longer journey requires business-class fares.
But at a time when the council’s infrastructure costs have exceeded the budget, it’s understandable that ratepayers might ask is it the right time to spend more of their money?
