That's a good point Sid and I have questioned the ethics of this project myself.
But then if we didn't try and build the Sydney Opera House, or whichever great world building you can think of then it would be a pretty dull planet. The rest of this town is cookie cutter residential skyscrapers and very dull. I think this just may be a diamond in the sand. Excessive yes, a product of a government spending yes, worth it? I would like to think so in the long run as an inspiration that things can be better and not just the same. Civic pride is a worthy investment as long as the population isn't starving (like they were 40 years ago).
Both Amber and I are thinking of heading back to do penance in an outback Australian indigenous community anyway, I kid you not, we are preparing the applications now!
Dik