The city is up to its third take on what fees to charge - and after a review we will likely see another.

Last night the council was bunkered down, engaged in more damage control after we revealed two community members were initially considered persona non grata on the review body because they opposed meters. The city was backing away from that position after our story but now there seems to be irreconcilable differences.

While the council considers how best to MOFO (move forward, to pinch Julia Gillard's mantra), the business community has decided to conduct its own survey of the damage.

We don't oppose parking meters. The council has a right, indeed an obligation, to tap into new revenue sources and meters are in many similar-sized cities.

However, this process is now in the debacle category and we wonder if an elected council would have allowed it to get to this stage.

For the good of the city, a solution that is generally acceptable to motorists, the business community and the council needs to be found sooner rather than later.

And another thing ...

How many votes are truly in either party's stance on the Princes Hwy is a matter of conjecture. One thing is clear, however - voters now have a real choice on the issue.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, in a boost for sitting Gilmore MP Joanna Gash, confirmed yesterday he was putting $20 million on the table. This leaves ALP candidate Neil Reilly's promise for a strategy for works looking rather limp. That said, there is still time for Labor to be a party of action on this deadly road.