A word for Beachcare
In response to the lack of understanding of what makes a dynamic living beach which is evident in Suzanne Hansen’s article (The Informer, 9 June) I’d love to invite Suzanne, and others who may share her views, to join our Beachcare Group for a few Friday mornings.
It is a constant learning opportunity which I have loved during the more than 5 years I have been volunteering with this Peninsula-wide project especially as I started this learning process over 20 years ago during the first experimental plantings when erosion along Buffalo Beach became apparent.
I’m proud of what we are achieving led by very competent people, including Kim Lawry from Mercury Bay Environmental Trust .
You are right to be concerned about forestry slash and sedimentation generally that comes from the surrounds of our catchment, but that is an issue for other players.
I will add that many tourists stop to chat and leave with photos and appreciation of what we are doing.
I think I’d be more worried about the potential effect of selling off our DOC hinterland which is a real possibility under the current Conservation Amendment Bill which could open our district up to increased mining. This would have a huge impact on tourism for the Coromandel. (submissions close Thursday, 2 July.
Meantime, come and join us on the beach this coming Friday
Anna Horne, Whitianga
Mautohe Cathedral Cove proposed track closures
I am against the proposal to remove asphalt on the main track. Many residents believe that the cost of removal will be significant and the expected improvements of stormwater management will not be realised.
Will the asphalt actually be removed or just not resealed and patched where needed?
I am requesting clarification about the removal of the asphalt on the main track and whether this includes removal around the Grange Road car park also?
I am not a great fan of the asphalt but it was put down a number of years ago to reduce maintenance on the well-used track.
I have asked for minutes about the small consulting meeting on the 25 May and a response to my Official Information Act request on track closure information is still to be provided.
This would have been quite important information to have for community discussion for their submissions. Sadly this is now pointless since feedback submissions were due by the 19 June. However, transparency needs to be upheld and this matter is of concern to residents at Hahei.
Graeme Harsant, Hahei
refer to page 16
Prepared with AI
Manipulation of the electorate
I don’t want this further amalgamation of Councils or the removal of Regional Councils! They were both installed on the ‘saving money’ reason. The old adage, “economies of scale” was trotted out and has proved mistaken.
Are you land and water rates less since the amalgamation that produced the TCDC?
When that happened, a Mayor and Community boards were put in place to placate the public’s cry for representation in the original concept.
Now we have the government imposing their undemocratic wishes on us with the push to have larger areas to work with the resultant byproduct being more debt.
This dominating action from the top down, avoids proper consultation with the people it affects most, and they did not ask for, or receive, a mandate for this manipulation of the electorate.
Will it be too late at the election to change it? And where is comment from our representative, Scott Simpson?
Peter Wood, Whitianga
A Question of Leadership
Many readers of The Informer and CFM listeners will be well aware of the topic ‘Simplifying Local Government’, or, as many may know, Local Government Reform.
This issue is the most critical decision our Council and all NZ Councils will face in nearly 50 years, making it essential for community engagement.
I find it ironic that, as our Council begins the engagement process to shape this vital decision, the Mercury Bay Community Board Deputy Chair (currently Acting Chair) and the TCDC Mayor are on leave during this crucial time.
I do not question how much time our Mayor and Councillors put in. However, their absence during this critical decision-making process will rightly make the community feel uncertain about leadership’s commitment.
Is this showing leadership?
Is it any wonder that the ‘tail continues to wag the dog’.
Tony Fox, Whitianga
The Accord did not have full support
Following Cr. John Grant’s factually incorrect statement in The Informer (p17 issue 1212, 2 June) that “all 4 Mercury Bay CB members supported the Accord unanimously” and that they “backed this document without reservation” needs to be addressed.
I requested a public retraction from Cr. Grant on both statements – which he declined to provide.
MBCB Chair, Richard Shelford-Woodcock, had strong reservations about the Accord and voiced his concerns, even though he was on recovery leave after heart surgery. As he was on leave he did not, on the day, have a vote. His request to speak as an individual person at the Council Meeting in Thames was denied by Mayor Peter Revell, although he finally agreed that Richard could write a statement which would then be read out by the Deputy Chair. Richard complied with this. However, although there was time to spare, Richard’s statement was not presented.
It would seem that he was blocked from voicing his concerns at every level.
Cr. John Freer was also denied the opportunity to speak. Yes, he did vote for the Accord, but why was he not allowed to qualify his decision? Many had concerns, but caved in to pressure to get “anything”, underway that would allow Community Boards to achieve “something” after a stagnant 7 months of frustration.
A major part of last year’s election was the Empowerment of Community Boards. We all voted accordingly. Mayor Peter Revell announced immediately after being elected, that we were not to contact Council or Council staff- all our local matters must be directed to our Community Boards. We happily complied and at the first Public Forum meeting we were there with our projects to be presented. What happened? NOTHING. In a matter of weeks it was clear that “EMPOWERMENT”, before it was ever IN – was OUT, and we were back to chasing our tails trying to follow up on details of our presentations.
This is not Democracy. It is not honesty; and it certainly does not relate to transparency.
While the ‘tail ‘currently continues to ‘wag the dog’ – ‘docking’ is looking to be an increasingly appropriate action.
Ady Cole-Ewen, Wharekaho
Hope and democracy dashed after election
I put a great deal of thought into who would receive my vote to be on our Council and Community Board. Why? Because I believe strongly in local democracy – the shaping of local matters by able and committed people, who can make meaningful decisions and hold both elected Councillors and non-elected bureaucrats accountable, demanding sensible budget decisions and transparency.
I, and many others I have spoken to, would never have voted for Councillors who, only a few months after the elections, have sort to disempower the excellent team that has been elected to our Community Board.
If this is the agenda that they intended to pursue on this extremely important matter, then they should have made this clear at the time they were seeking to be elected. They do not have a mandate among voters to push for the enfeeblement of Community Boards.
Helen Vivian, Wharekaho
New Joan Gaskell Drive Roundabout
People are talking but no-one seems to be asking. Why is a new roundabout being constructed on Joan Gaskell Drive? I have yet to see even one accident or even a near-miss, when vehicles enter or exit from either grocery shopping or getting their bargain from the red building.
What about Moewai Road intersection?
Just a few months ago, a man’s life was lost at the intersection of Moewai Rd and SH25. At the time this unnecessary death prompted a lot of discussion, questions and suggestions about rectifying the serious nature of approaching this intersection where 50kph cross-roads meet 80kph without a single warning of danger.
Since this tragic loss of life, nothing has changed regarding this dangerous intersection whether it be signage, speed reductions or extra policing of excess speeds which literally happen every single day. So I ask, how can the convenience of shopping be a higher priority than the concern and protection for life, be a logical decision by TCDC? This tells me that in this matter, our council has their priorities in the wrong order. I thought we voted for common sense?
Yes, I admit that for me this is a bit emotional because the deceased man was a friend of the men at the MenZshed, but he was also a husband, father, brother and son. He could have been yours.
One death is one too many. Surely people shouldn’t have to die before we recognize dangerous situations and put improvements in place.
I repeat, why are we giving priority to convenience for businesses over safety? To me, it doesn’t make any sense.”
Ken Andrew, Whitianga
