Can you believe that - 45 conditions.

What's worse it could be 46 if a proposal to include a bike rack gets through - but please, don't even start me on that.

Now the owner, well-known businessman and former footballer Joe Walsh, isn't planning to remodel the Sydney Opera House, he just wants to improve his Wagga hotel.

Oh, and the grand amount he wants to spend is just $380,000.

Pushing 45 or 46 conditions on a $380,000 upgrade just doesn't make sense.

Indeed, why would he even bother?

And that's what I continually hear about our council - particularly the staff - it hinders a developer rather than help.

Even Councillor Gary Hiscock told last week's council meeting that the staff "search for ways to put obstacles in the developers way".

Now that's coming from him and not me.

I'm also told a major project proposed for Morgan Street is in serious doubt because the backer has been to council 17 times to try to get his plans through.

As well, council wants several hundred thousand dollars in planning and sewerage fees before the first sod of soil is even turned.

Some years ago, multi-millionaire David Lowy wanted to establish his celebrated aircraft museum here in Wagga.

It didn't pass the test so he took it to Temora. I don't really think anymore needs to be said.

A Lakeside Drive resident just recovering from eight months of roadwork outside his home has now been contacted by council re his backyard pool.

Like thousands of others, it isn't compliant with all the ridiculous new rules and regulations.

During the safety check he tapped the inspector on the shoulder and said "mate ... there's a lake across the road!" 

Now admittedly, the pool audit isn't council's fault as they are just carrying out state government instructions, but it all just adds to the absurdity of what goes on today.

There's no doubt council has a difficult job and more often than not it is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't, but sometimes it just doesn't help itself.

Recently, I had to get approval to have a large tree in my backyard pruned. Not cut down; just pruned. A $70 fee, thank you very much, to have someone come out and inspect it.

Last month, every single tree on a council-owned block of land in Tarcutta Street was felled - 11 mature trees in all.

Like just about every other tree in Wagga, they are all of a sudden deemed to be in poor or fair condition, despite having stood the test of time for decades.

Two councilors, Kerry Pascoe and Paul Funnell, were far from convinced.

Unfortunately, it just goes on and on, and once again I'm left bewildered