The thin end of a very wide wedge ! It looks like " User pays " is about to apply to this area's cold water swimming pools.
Heated pools carry an entrance fee and few would object to that. It costs money to have a pleasant water temperature on a cold day and that money comes from the property rates we pay our councils.
Councils are trying to lower costs by a two pronged approach. They are shortening the swimming season and shaving weeks off the opening period - and now they are deliberating on charging a $2 fee for adults and $1 for children and concession holders.
The relentless march of the " User pays " principle is now threatening the very concept of regional councils. Nothing seems immune. Not that long ago one of the responsibilities of a council was to provide a tip for residents rubbish - and it's use was free.
No more ! First, a couple of dollars entry fee. Now an amazing charge that nearly consumes a fifty dollar note to get in with a trailer load of rubbish.
Even the use of council streets will soon attract a charge. Parking meters are on the way - and again the " User pays " principle will see us paying to park where since Federation we have had free use.
Perhaps the last bastion of " something for nothing " is the public library system !
And yet it costs council money to buy those books and lend them - free - to it's ratepayers.
How long before libraries feel the pinch - and the librarian holds out a hand for a fee to borrow a book ?
Any odds on whether free libraries will survive this century ?
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