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Cost blowout
Mike Morse, Silverdale
It was with utter amazement that I read that Penlink had again been delayed (HM August 2) and I’m somewhat incredulous that NZTA’s national manager, Andy Thackwray was justifying the cost increase on being “partly due to increased property prices”. NZTA/Auckland Council already owns all, or the vast majority, of the land corridor required. The process of land purchase and compensation of affected landowners commenced over 20 years ago and the majority were acquired many years before this most recent cost increase. Sure the property market has gone mad but when you already own the property don’t use this to partly justify an incredulous two-year blowout of $400 million. I can accept the cost of construction as a significant factor where a project such as this would be competing with other major infrastructure projects and booming land development, which is soaking up contractors and construction companies. But $400 million over two years? Tell it how it is, don’t try and put up an unsupportable smokescreen. Most likely much of the significant cost increase would be due to “compliance”, having to provide a vast range of ridiculous, recently dreamt up environmental enhancements and a plethora of pointless professional reports.
Works cause shivers
Katherine Short, Tindalls Bay
Amazed to see there hasn’t been much comment about the Penlink related roadworks that will be in the vicinity of New World Whangaparāoa. This was in your August 2 edition and it sent shivers down my spine. I still remember the horror that was the last lot of roadworks on Whangaparāoa Road. I am still commuting to the North Shore so let’s hope lessons were learned all round from that so we don’t get a repeat! Bet Vipond gets a hammering!
Editor’s note: The writer refers to p2 of our August 2 paper, which stated that Penlink-related roadworks will take place on the Cedar Reserve side of Whangaparāoa Rd between Brightside and Beverley Rds. Before lockdown the work was scheduled for October 22-November 1.
Tenancy lockdown
Adam Showler, Little Manly (abridged)
Me and my wife Dannielle were given 63 days notice by our landlords on August 5, which was fine – until lockdown happened on the 17th. By that time we had only viewed three properties and only one was ok, but we didn’t get it. My landlords advised that the last day stands! How can this be possible, as you cannot view properties in lockdown? My question is: last lockdown the government canceled all notices given to tenants as they could not look for properties. Is this going to happen again? I want someone to ask questions that I cannot.
Editor’s note: Labour list MP Marja Lubeck’s office confirmed that the regulations from the last lockdown didn’t change. Tenants can only move in very limited situations and the landlord and tenant therefore should discuss extending the tenancy – especially as it may take time to find a new place once the Alert Levels drop. There is a section on the Covid-19 site that covers tenancy issues: www.tenancy.govt.nz/about-tenancy-services/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-landlords-and-tenants-need-to-know/
