I WOULD like to voice my opinion as a concerned member of the Southern Downs community.

Over at least the last three terms I have witnessed from the Southern Downs Regional Council some of the worst management of any council that I have come in contact with.

It appears that they just go from one disaster to another with absolutely no regard for the community or the ratepayers, for example, as per a newspaper article, they intend to increase our rates by 4% per year over the next ten years in order to get them out of the disaster they have for the most part created.

Also they have reduced the rate discount; thereby in effect further increasing rate rises by stealth.

They may say that it wasn't their fault, but as I see it, it was on their watch, so they are responsible.

They will not rate themselves out of this debacle, it needs proper management, and as I look back on the performance of the current council, it appears that this job is beyond their capability.

We as voters have the capacity to change the future outcome of our community.

I firmly believe it we do that then we will get more of the same.

Once again we need to embrace change, look to new people who are committed to bringing about beneficial changes to our community, and in time if they don't measure up, then we will replace them too, until we finally get a council that will be there for the community's benefit.

We may need to do an aptitude test for our proposed new councillors and mayor, and the existing ones; I have a feeling that the existing council may not pass the test.

- Wilf Sim