Other than lavish new staff offices (but no more office space than they currently have at Lamerton House), and a new library, precisely what great new "level of services" will ratepayers get for their $70-$80 million Taj Mahal?

A 350-seat auditorium that no-one other than council staff will use and can't operate after 6pm - sounds fantastic.

A projected 25 per cent increase in residents doesn't mean a 25 per cent increase in council staff. Ask Coffs Harbour. No staff increase at all.

Ian Ross

Shellharbour