My Account
Kindness appreciated
I would like to thank the kind gentleman who found my bank card at Matheson Bay and returned it to the bank in Warkworth last month. I really appreciated that this man went to the trouble of immediately taking it into the bank, so I did not have too long to worry. I hope he did not have to make a special trip from Leigh. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for making that effort.
Dianne B Hawken, Snells Beach
Three Waters opposed
Mayor Goff, a life-time Labour man, participated in a working group to make the Three Waters reforms more palatable. Nonetheless, he has concluded that the government’s proposals are contrary to the interests of Aucklanders. Three Waters is a socialist proposal to spend millions of dollars to weaken our democracy by transferring Auckland’s water assets into the hands of faceless bureaucrats and unknown iwi. Aucklanders need to oppose these reforms, which have never been clearly explained, even though legislation will be shortly submitted to Parliament.
Craig Rickit, Snells Beach
Viewpoint correction
In the interests of reporting accuracy I wish to make a correction to my Viewpoint article (MM Feb 28). The main theme of my column is still valid.
However, the amassed $121 million refers to the promised Auckland Council road sealing budget (over 10 years) made possible by the 10 cents per litre plus GST Regional Fuel Tax, not the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate (RTTR). Widely acclaimed at inception as a win-win, this $121 million budget was heavily deferred, suspended and then reduced to only $40 million over 10 years.
At the same time, the RTTR was introduced and expected to provide $46 million over 10 years, $14 million road sealing was included during consultation but this funding was re-appropriated at inception in anticipation of the $121 million budget proceeding, so the RTTR fund only covered public transport, park and rides, and footpaths.
This unfairness for rural ratepayers (who make up some 60% of Rodney voters) and pay the RTTR has been continued by the Rodney Local Board, despite a road sealing funding reduction.
So to be clear, the “amassed $121 million” should read “expected to provide $46 million over 10 years”. The “131 extra car parking spaces for the Warkworth Showgrounds” refers to the Warkworth Transport Hub. This is temporary until Auckland Transport provides the Warkworth Southern Interchange Hub.
Colin Smith, Rodney Local Board member
Luxury for some
It is with considerable consternation I read about the plans for a luxury lodge on Cape Rodney, Leigh (MM Mar 14).
An application has now been lodged for a resource consent with Council, but apparently the project started in 2020 without Council knowledge. Since then, residents on Cape Rodney Road have endured constant traffic noise and clouds of dust from trucks, heavy machinery, concrete trucks and the endless travel of workers’ vehicles, all travelling at speed, along the narrow gravel road.
The safety of other road users is always at risk and the surface of the road has been reduced to a potholed, corrugated track. The peaceful environment has been intensely disrupted, and walkers and residents can no longer enjoy a very special area.
So why has this project been able to proceed without Council or public knowledge?
The multimillionaires purchased the nine-hectare land on Cape Rodney for a mere $12 million, no doubt just pocket money to them, to cater for a few wealthy people, while residents and visitors will no longer be able to enjoy one of the last pristine environments.
In the event that the belated application gets Council approval, with some persuasive talk, that may cover the ‘heavy boot prints’ threatening the area. So maybe money talks the loudest?
Karin Priest, Leigh
