When $460,000 = less than 50 ...

Council's 90 minute Singapore sewer water tasting session in Laurel Bank Park earlier today attracted less than 50 people.

When you exclude the organisers and their family members, it leaves very few people turning up for the sewer water taste tests and accompanying ratepayer-funded pizza, BBQ and soft drinks.

Why do almost 1,000 attend Saturday's Community Water Meeting and then less than 50 (including organisers) attend Council's tasting session in Laurel Bank Park the next day?

Could it be that the Toowoomba community has heard enough nonsense from the Council and won't be bribed by offers of pizza and a BBQ to listen to more misleading information? (Interestingly, pizza sessions were used in California as an inducement to attend 'education sessions'.)

Based on 2005 figures, Toowoomba City Council has 819 employees (including 420 administration staff and 399 depot and outdoor employees but excluding the 9 Councillors).

So, notwithstanding the Council employee meetings held last week where council employees were apparently told to support the Water Futures project, almost none attended the Laurel Bank Park session.

Council would have you believe that there was no need for Council employees to attend as they will all be voting yes.

But will they?

Mayor Thorley is prohibited by law from looking over the shoulders of 819 employees as they vote on 29 July.

One thing for sure, Toowoomba City Council will be in crisis mode this week as it tries to create the impression of community support and put a positive spin on its floundering project for the media ...