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Poor judgment
Reading your last edition (MM August 2), I was very disappointed to read about the judges’ actions concerning Robertson Boats. Maybe the judge has more information concerning the case than the public are aware of. However, on the face of it, it appears the judge was having a bad day, and just made the Robertson brothers sell all their land off, splitting the money gained 50-50 between them. This sounds to me like an easy way out, but without consideration of the boatyard, its staff, the effect on the river and the local community. Surely the boatyard could have been annexed off from the sale of the land and retained, split the money made from the remainder of the land, and the brothers each receive a proportion as stipulated by the judge This way both brothers would receive the money due to them, and the boatyard would continue to operate. In the past the boatyard has been run very efficiently, employing about 20 men. These are tradesmen in their own right, and some have worked there for many years, doing a good job, and with very few complaints. To me, this shows good working relationships and how efficient the yard is. The yard is well known and used by ferries brought there from Auckland and the Bay of Islands. Other commercial vessels are also repaired and surveyed there, besides a myriad of pleasure boats, because of their workmanship, availability and cost. With the increase of our population in this area, there will be an increased number of boats, and more need for somewhere to service them, bringing more work to the yard and other contractors. Auckland Council has agreed to dredge the river so that boats can come to Warkworth. Besides coming just for pleasure, this is meant to bring revenue to the town. This also means that they need somewhere to be serviced. Roberston Boats is the ideal place. There is nowhere else on the river to put a boatyard without a lot of dredging and expense. Why shift or close it? It is in an ideal position. Finally, I hope that in spite of the judge’s decision, the boatyard will survive with no loss of staff. It must be a very worrying time for all of them, and a very big loss to Warkworth if it should go.
Chris Poulter, Warkworth
Leadership wanted
I feel somewhat exasperated with this Robertson Boats saga (MM August 2), and the detrimental impact it will have on the community. This, along with other issues relating to the river and estuary, need collaborative leadership from our politicians. I suggest that we arrange for funding to be provided by guarantee or directly, to enable the community to purchase the land for the boat yard, and resell the remaining land for development.
There are many permutations of resolving this issue, which our MPs, Auckland Council member, and Local Board should address immediately. Secondly, we need a pathway along the south side of the river and this could be incorporated into the this solution.
Thirdly, we need a cycleway from Snells Beach along the river to Warkworth. Fourthly, we need to address the navigation and dredging of the river on a sustainable basis. I suggest that we use whatever legal means we can to achieve these aims – Public Works Act, private member’s bill, change of zoning requirements …
Chris Mellor, Algies Bay
Good riddance
It would be a great thing for the local community if Robertson Boats no longer exists on the banks of the Mahurangi River (MM August 2). The boatyard is an eyesore to cruise past. There are plenty of other local boatyards to take up the slack, and it is hardly disastrous for the very few local boats that need such a large travel lift to go to North Harbour. Or perhaps another local boatyard may invest in it once Robertson’s closes. The skilled workers who are employed there will be able to find work elsewhere. If the Warkworth Riverbank Enhancement Group are indeed able to extend the walkway between Warkworth wharf and the cement works, through this land along the bank, that would really enhance the enjoyability of this town. What a great walk and day out, strolling or biking along the riverbank to the cement works for a dip in the waterhole without having to drive there. It would really tie this unique part of the area to the town and that would up the attractiveness stakes of Warkworth immensely.
Jay McBee, Warkworth
New pandemic
There’s a new pandemic sweeping through New Zealand called ‘ideological stupidity’. From central government right through the provinces into Councils and town halls. The classic phrase ‘climate change’ (they really mean global warming but don’t want to frighten us all) is the go at the moment, guaranteed to release the most stupidity. Declare a ‘climate emergency’ and you can let rip. Use loads of imported low-quality coal to keep the lights on, thus covering up your mistake of banning oil and gas exploration. Run hundreds of virtually empty buses every hour, seven days a week, going to the wrong places at the wrong times, and have a hell of a pollution party. Allow a new landfill, north of Auckland, which is guaranteed to pollute everything for miles around and claim that it is the only solution; more like the final solution! Keep chanting “light rail” but not really knowing what destruction it will bring to its route. Consequence is the word least understood by the newly infected wokesters.
Darran Price, Warkworth
