Letters 1 July 2011
Hands Across The Sands
Sorry Mr Wilkinson (GBW Letters 24/6), I could not bring myself to cycle naked in midwinter from Rockville to Pohara to hold hands with other like-minded people concerned with the exploitation of our environment. My mode of transport is a diesel work van. I wish it was solar powered or electric but that will have to wait?
It was good that a number of people from this end of the Bay turned up regardless of transport to bolster the number present. I was standing next to a young couple with children looking at the options of maybe moving to the Bay because where they live overseas is experiencing overdevelopment.
If any embassy officials were there I’m sure we would have seen Gerry’s and John’s limos parked next to the bikes. Oh and of course wearing clothes!
This government is creating a nucleus of unemployed to service the mining and oil industries.
Peter Barrett
We should take great comfort from the Hands Across the Sand protest around the world on 24/25 June.
It demonstrates a widespread awareness of the broader issues and a determination by these individuals who walk the talk to ameliorate the effects of energy pollution, such as thinking twice every time they start their motor vehicle and pooling whenever possible; eschewing air travel entirely; disinvesting themselves of investments and interest-bearing accounts that are concerned with mining; curtailing their use of products manufactured from mining and oil, especially pharmaceuticals, plastics, clothing, fertiliser; aware of the doubling of world population every 50 years in recent decades so restricting their breeding to only one homosapiens, if any; embracing all clean alternative energies—hydro, wind, nuclear—and rising above parochial, tribal nimby to make significant sacrifices, recognising this as a global issue; downsizing their lifestyle and expectations (Rauschkolb, the originator of this gesture and a surfer and acclaimed restaurateur will have first-hand experience with excessive wealth generation). The future looks bright.
Are you ready for the Rugby World Cup...?
Peter Bridgwater
Employment in the Bay
At last week’s meeting with MP Damien O’Connor, the future economy of Golden Bay was discussed, and a good debate ensued.
Today dairy farming and tourism are the main wealth producers with tourism playing a very small part. More income comes from retirees and benefit payouts. These sources offer no incentive for youth to stay here and the drain of our young talent goes offshore or to the “big smoke“.
A suggestion that maybe Golden Bay could be made an international “retirement destination” for the rich of the world by selling the “green scene “. No air, light, noise or people pollution. The whole of the Bay would collect the spend from this source. The anti-mining lobby would support this, and “old age “ tourism would boost that industry.
By building lovely retirement homes for this class of international clients, it would push the spend from their funds on food, care, medical needs and entertainment. Then they die here!
The houses would then be let or sold to the next influx.Employment would be boosted by their requirements from the catering, hospitality and food suppliers. Opportunity for more specialist shops and activities centered on the aged. Great income for the hospital staff, let alone the building boom creating this village.
Damien O’Connor was heard to say “not a silly idea!”
Reg Turner
The Tempest
This has been the first time I’ve been to one of Golden Bay High School’s theatre productions. And wow - I was blown away by the creative stage, costumes, make up and excellent performance of the students. Thank you GBHS for a very enjoyable evening and I will definitely be back next year.
Silvia Schneider-Rowse
Council union proposal
Having requested copies of papers about the Draft Tasman/Nelson Re-organisation proposal from the Local Government Commission (LGC) and reading them over the weekend I recommend that others also obtain and read these papers. This is essential in order to be fully informed.
The papers are: The “Strateg.Ease” consultant report; LGC Background Report; LGC Decision on the Proposal; and the LGC Proposal itself.
All of the papers provide detailed information in a readable format. Copies are available online at www.lgc.govt.nz or by e-mail to info@lgc.govt.nz or by post from LGC, PO Box 5362, Wellington 6154.
Some points of note include:
TDC debt much higher than Nelson debt by 2019. ($269.5m v $115.3m)
TDC debt will be close to policy limits for borrowing by 2019. This will have implications in the event of emergencies.
Savings of $4.7m pa from reduced staff duplication including $1.73m through fewer management salaries. For example, one CEO instead of two results in a net saving of $231,562 pa.
Nelson earns approx $3.4m more “investment income” pa than Tasman.
Empowered community boards in each ward will provide an opportunity for effective and responsive rural governance.
Submissions to LGC close on 19 August 2011.
Joe Bell
Sustainability - the green umbrella
What are the eco-building, environmentally friendly construction materials and methods being entertained in the design for Golden Bay’s Integrated Family Health Centre? Some that would meet with favour in our community are: passive solar buildings, solar water heating, wool insulation, solar photo-voltaic “power walls“, organic vege-gardening based on permaculture principles, vertical plantscapes - “green living walls and roofs“, and a greenhouse (?), water collection and waste disposal.
There are definite advantages in recognising “green asset value“ and the incentive of utilising resource and energy savings as a part of this community asset.
Congratulations to the people of the Interim Management Group for their patience and perseverance developing the complex.
Barry Evans
Ed. This letter was forwarded to the IMG and they are interested in a future GB Weekly article on the sustainable considerations in their design.
World on a Plate
I applaud the team of dedicated parents for their vision and energy in creating the World on a Plate International Food Festival.
They have managed to source 30-plus chefs representing 16 countries to tantalise our taste buds at this fundraising event for Golden Bay High School on 9 July.
Musicians from the Bay, including high school students, will entertain whilst we feast.
It is a sad fact in this day and age that our schools now have to fundraise for any extras to provide quality education for our young people.
Please come and support our school.
Tickets at school office or GB Gallery and check out the menu on view at various locations, including the library.
Caroline Jones
