Letter to the editor, TDN … published in yesterday’s paper but not on their website… (with thanks, to William Simpson!) Democracy felled The comments made by David MacLeod, chairman of the Taranaki Regional Council, are misleading and patronising to the people of Waitara. Quote: “While a small number of locals have resisted the removal of any trees, there is clear support from the Waitara community board, the lower Waitara River scheme liaison committee, local hapu and the Waitara community for the upgrade work to increase the standard of flood protection for the town.” 1. To my knowledge, a number of people opposed the trees being cut down and not a small number of locals either. 2. There was no clear support from the Waitara Community Board, the decision came down to the casting chair’s vote. 3. The lower Waitara River Scheme Liaison Committee opposed the pohutukawa trees being cut down, except for the engineer, regional council staff and the chair, who is a member of the community board. 4. To my knowledge, the local hapu are opposed to the Pohutukawa trees being cut down. Quote: Many people have also welcomed the improvements in amenity values and personal safety that the work will bring to the area. This project is a major investment … made possible through the co-operation and significant investment of some key parties including Methanex NZ, ANZCO and New Plymouth District Council.” Who are the many people MacLeod speaks of? It appears it is only his staff and his board, and none of them are from Waitara. The oil companies and ANZCO have a vested interest in the development so, of course, they are co-operating. The New Plymouth District Council? It just approves things according to legislation. “And we will continue to work with the Waitara community and NPDC to make sure that additional amenities and walkways are incorporated into the design,” says MacLeod. The regional council has never worked closely with the Waitara community, its attitude is: “Let’s get the work done regardless and at the expense of the Waitara community, by the way work to date has been less than acceptable.” All we asked for was a peer review of the engineering and arborist report. The regional council would not allow this nor would it allow a deputation of these “small number of locals” who opposed the cutting of the pohutukawa trees, citing chairperson prerogative, public exclusion, and financial confidence. What happened to democracy? WILLIAM SIMPSON Waitara (Abridged)
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 02:48:01 +0000
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