a good use of

I wouldn't say it's required, since "use" could be considered as uncountable; but countable is much more common in this context.

I would definitely include it. There are many possible uses of the money.

However, you would say, "the use of taxpayers' money is inexcusable".

Thanks, Avangi and Philip.

New2grammarRepairing the long eroding coastline isn't a good use of taxpayers' money.

Another example of uncountable would be "Repairing the long eroding coastline isn't [an example of [the]] good use of taxpayers' money."

Granted, it's less natural than the original countable version, with "a."

BTW, I wondered if

AvangiBTW, I wondered if "long" refers to the length of the coastline, or the period of time during which it's been eroding.

Thanks, Avangi. How would you remove the ambiguity? Actually, I wanted to refer to the length.

New2grammar How would you remove the ambiguity? Actually, I wanted to refer to the length.

Perhaps, "Reparing the thousands of miles of eroding coastline . . . . "

I was probably being picky. Expressions like "repairing the long neglected / deteriorating Route 5 highway" are quite common, and meant to describe the time factor.

Thank you, Avangi.