There are several solutions to the problem of the $260M needed to be borrowed for fast tracking future infrastructure.

Run a legally binding referendum by ratepayers on whether it should go ahead. If the answer is no, council carry out the works as they can be afforded. If 'yes” then we have options.

The first (which I favour), put a levy of $10,000 to $20,000 on every section sold. This to be paid by the developer immediately the sale goes through, including sales of blocks of sections to builders. It shouldn't be a problem to the developers as they will just add it to the section price as will the builders to their house prices. We have tried adding sums to the building permits but new home builders resent that.

Or secondly, wipe $25 million off each of the first 10 years of the 20 year plan to pay off the debt.

It may be said that levying developers will just increase the cost of houses but remember that one of them increased the prices of all their sections by $50,000 at the start of the buying frenzy.

And neither developers nor builders have done anything to hold prices down other than blame councils for not making more land available.

D Russell, Welcome Bay.