I HAVE just finished reading the article involving the Ison family (Bay Post, January 21) and I was fascinated by what the council spokeswoman had to say on the subject.
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It seems to me she was reading from an overused hymn sheet.
It would seem that council has a hymn sheet for every occasion.
Pity they cannot do some lateral thinking instead of constantly going on the defensive and blaming the prospect of legal action if they make what they perceive to be the wrong decision.
Lateral thinking would consist of the development application being approved subject to the applicant/developer exempting council from any liability in the event of rises in sea-level and to make sure that everybody understands the basis upon which it was approved, they must obtain legal advice to that effect.
Council would probably respond, via another hymn sheet, that a person cannot sign away their legal rights. While I can think of many legal contracts where that happens on a regular basis, it is a fundamental step towards sensible progress.
Sadly it is now too late for the Ison family who incidentally I didn't know even existed until today.
David Childs
Sunshine Bay
