Letters 18 December
Library car park
From my office on the corner of the narrow laneway to the library car park, I have witnessed many near-miss pedestrian-car accidents over the past year. When the opportunity arose to consult with TDC engineers over the upgrade I was relieved to be able to offer some practical advice: “Please protect the pedestrians. Why not make the Commercial Street laneway “entry only” and exit the car park onto Reilly Street?”
Anyone who has tried to exit the car park onto Commercial Street during the day will understand the difficulties of visibility, especially with campervans parked on the street. It’s a case of pull out and hope. Most drivers are mindful of the pedestrians using the laneway or walking down Commercial Street, but some are not.
The day after the consultation I received notice that the works would start the following week – define consultation? I was fobbed off with: “We will put a speed hump in the laneway”. However on site today (Tuesday) I was told: “There isn’t a speed hump happening at this stage, as they can’t decide on the design of it.” Sealing will be done by the time you read this.
Please, if you choose to exit the car park onto Commercial Street, look out for pedestrians, especially children innocently using the footpath; there is nothing there to define the vehicle crossing.
Billy Kerrisk
Bicycle Lanes In Paradise
BLIP is Golden Bay’s advocate group promoting safe road conditions for all non-polluting forms of transport, including walkers, horseback riders, horse and cart users, pedal cars like Albie’s, as well as cyclists. These are all legitimate road users that need special care when passing due to their vulnerability.
We have commissioned Chris Finlayson to create another captivating image to help remind our motorists to pass with great care. NZTA tells us these signs must be rotated. Please support the BLIP stall at the Village Market on Saturday morning.
The improvements have been made to the cycle warning system at Bird’s Cutting; the timing adjusted, 2 minutes 30 seconds downhill, 3 minutes 30 seconds uphill and the flashing lights will be activated, apparently only for the summer for some reason. We thank Peter Kortegast from Opus, and NZTA for the facility, and thank all of you motorists that pass in a safe manner.
Victoria Davis for BLIP
Our community hospital
I sincerely hope that the community hospital will not be altered. I have been a permanent resident here for six months and cannot speak highly enough of the staff buildings and surroundings. The friendly atmosphere and consideration shown by Lexie and her staff makes it a pleasure to be ill. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is too much trouble to these people, and the population of Golden Bay, old and new, should consider themselves very lucky to have such a facility at their disposal.
Ron Swan (Swanny)
Park Avenue is the best site
We applaud the IMG for the fantastic job they have done and we fully support the concept of a new Integrated Health Centre. We feel that the Park Avenue site is a better option to build the new centre, rather than building onto the existing hospital.
It has a blank canvas to work with. It can be positioned for the sun. With sustainable building practice and good health, sun is paramount. There is space for shops, cafeterias etc. It has greater space to grow when needed. No disruption to current hospital while it is under construction. The Recreation Park is alongside. With proposed rezoning, people will be able to build their homes around this centre. It could be near to the proposed retirement village. It will be away from the noisy and dangerous main road. It could be part of the proposed new St John rooms, ambulance bay and staffing quarters.
After discussing this with members of the Central Takaka Syndicate, we can now share their vision. We truly believe that their proposal for a health centre to be built at Park Avenue is not for capital gain, but for the benefit of Golden Bay. Golden Bay is growing and if it’s to go forward, it will continue to grow and we need to give it room to do so. Let’s share the vision and not just do with the cheapest option but the best option.
Kate Windle and Steve Hambrook
Luminate Festival
Luminate Festival is a not-for-profit community-focussed event. This year we formalised the structure and are now registered as the Luminate Festival Educational and Spiritual Trust.
The main aims of the Trust are: 1. Develop awareness and facilitate education of environmentally sustainable practices. 2. Encourage people to improve their spiritual, mental and physical well-being. 3. Provide the opportunity for people to participate in and gain a wider appreciation of traditional and contemporary arts and culture. 3. Empower people with the knowledge and confidence to take responsibility for the reality that we are all co-creating. 4. Strengthen community networks, and help empower people with skills and knowledge to improve their quality of life.
For three years Luminate has been organised by a team of volunteers. The fact that the festival is steadily growing is only possible through the donations and in-kind contributions that we receive, and the generous support of all people involved. We are very grateful for this. This helps us keep the cost of tickets as low as possible to ensure affordability to as many people as possible. Therefore we are able to extend the early summer special tickets until 31 December (local stores only), after which they will be standard price.
If you would like to make a donation to the trust or require more information, please contact us: www.luminatefestival.co.nz
Jules Harper and Rita Davies
Santa Parade
To make sure the Santa Parade goes ahead smoothly, could you please not park in Commercial Street from about 9am this Saturday. There will be alternative parking available in paddocks behind Orange Mechanical and also on the corner of Reilly St. It’s only for one day of the year, anyway. Thank you.
Dave Myall
Santa Parade co-ordinator
