Letters Friday 17 July 2009
Takaka’s water supply
Some questions have been asked by residents about the board’s submission to the Tasman District Long Term Council Community Plan suggesting that the matter of Takaka water reticulation be considered further.
The Golden Bay Community Board supports current proposals for fire fighting in the central business area of Takaka. However, TDC made provision in the LTCCP for the construction of a new Takaka water supply scheme in 2018-19. The NZ Fire Service requires a water supply extension to cover the whole town within 10 years. Taking into account recent TDC clarifications (no chlorine, optional connection) the board believes that it would be remiss for the Takaka community not to review the situation now while there is still the opportunity to do so.
The cost will likely be greater in 2018. There is also the possibility of vital Central and Local Government subsidies at present which may or may not be available in the future.
As always, the board believes that property owners who are required to pay, must have the say. To make an informed decision, all of the facts, figures and possibilities must be taken into account. It has been on this basis that the board has supported a final review.
Joe Bell, chairperson, Golden Bay Community Board
Ligar Bay baches
I’m not convinced that the collection of baches at Ligar Bay contributes to the rich tapestry of life, but the conversation that has been generated around them certainly seems to. Whatever our personal stance on the issue, let’s make sure that opinions are heard with respect, that a rational balance is maintained, and that we are not swayed by straw polls of limited validity. An emotional retrospective on historical decisions is not always useful or illuminating, and there is plenty of factual, social and environmental material to consider.
To add a note of history, I quote the Evening Post of June 1925 to the effect that a bach may be “a building with every conceivable defect except that of falling down.” I wonder if this is another criterion to consider in this case?
Neville Rogers
Ligar Bay baches
In all the discussions about the Ligar Bay leases, one salient fact seems to have been forgotten. It was never the council who required the baches to be removed, it was the Minister of Conservation.
Twenty years ago the leaseholders were given a very short term of notice to remove the baches. As chair of Golden Bay County Council, I negotiated the current 25-year lease to allow for a longer period, to which all tenants at that time agreed. Subsequent lessees took on the leases knowing the leases had a finite period.
In the highly unlikely event that the Tasman District Council agreed to extend the leases, I have no doubt that as administrators of the land they would be overruled by the Minister of Conservation in line with many other coastal baches around New Zealand. Another condition of the leases was that no improvements were to be made to the baches, so any improvements which have been made are contrary to the lease.
Ann Lewis
USA heats up during our frost
The US has some things going right. I’m driving on the right side of the road and can wear my hat when riding a bicycle, because after 18 years of age it’s optional to wear helmets. Great!
The once towns, however, have been swollowed up to become cities like Auckland, chained together and all stuck in the muddy mainstream that I see drying up completely into 2010. Californian government are already handing out IOUs to its pensioners. The systems within the system can not sustain itself any longer. Human greed living beyond its means has its toll. Out with the old, in with the New.
While visiting friends and relations our focus is amongst the beauty, freedom and wonder of the amazing National Parks from Canada to Mexico.
On our return in August I shall bring back a wealth of inspired ideas to add to our Rototai ArtWalk to take it to yet another level for healing. In the meantime it will be most appreciated if those with cracked or chipped cat, dog and animal mugs plus coloured tiles leave at 46 Rototai Road.
NgAng
