Sir,

I have three preceptions regarding the matter of the Boardman Road extension in East Bowral.

The first is that the affected shire voters simply do not want the council to build an extension of Boardman Road, East Bowral to link with Old South Road at a cost of some $2.8 million.

This unwanted construction is to be financed from Section 94 levies, contributed to indirectly, by the same voters when they purchased their local properties.

The second perception is that most shire voters are in favour of a multi-discipline leisure centre being constructed at some central location - probably at the expense of at least one of the existing swimming pools.

The third perception is that a leisure centre, as infrastructure, qualified for Section 94 contributions.

Surely, this is a preferred alternative application the $2.8 million, which is about 50 per cent of the suggested project cost.

I attended the decisive council meeting at which the principal basis for proceeding with the Boardman Road extension was, unbelievably, that "it had been on the council books for years" and should therefore over-ride other considerations such as strong local objections.

In my view, the role of Mayor Yeo in this decision was questionable.

It is also worth noting that not a single shire councillor resides in East Bowral.

Clearly, the sooner we change to a more truly representative and accountable system of local government representation such as wards, the better.

Malcolm Yell

Bowral