Delays are not helping, notify the LWP now
The minister has suggested that Otago Regional Council should delay notification of the Land and Water Plan (LWP) as the government is making a number of changes to the Resource Management Act and various processes and national policy statements.
There are Bills in front of Parliament to make changes to national policies and fast track projects and more are coming. However, the RMA is based on property rights and environmental bottom lines and the signals are that these will be retained by the coalition government, just split into two Acts.
The most significant changes that would affect the LWP are to the national policy on water management and are already before Parliament. The effect these changes might have are relatively minor and easily addressed through variations or plan changes. They do not make it necessary to delay notifying the LWP.
The planning processes under the RMA in Otago have been long at each level. To delay would be a mistake and contrary to the procedural principles of the RMA. These principles were introduced by the National government in 2017 to ensure timely, efficient, consistent, and cost-effective processes.
A failure to notify the LWP after so much time and energy and capital invested in the process by council, individuals, groups and organisations sends the wrong message — why would people get involved in any council processes if they are not going to complete them?
A major failure of the RMA has been the delay in getting plans in place. It is time to progress this plan. Notify it.
Hamish Rennie
Associate Professor of Planning, Lincoln University
Hope and hospitals
The patience of Dunedin Hospital is wonderful, given the current state of affairs. Certainly, there are many issues to consider that the Dunedin public do not have the expertise to deal with, such as an ageing workforce. Undoubtedly Dunedinites will have to take more individual responsibility for their health, safety and welfare where necessary. New Zealand should already have a fully funded ambulance service by the state.
I want to be optimistic about the funding of this project, but I think we may have to hope that a wealthy donor will fund the project. This was how the Southern Charity Hospital Invercargill was completed. This showed the goodness of our people.
Thomas McAlpine
North East Valley
Stairway to heaven
Given that it cost $263,000 to build one small set of 8 steps at a beach in Auckland recently, $3 billion actually sounds cheap for a hospital in Dunedin. But isn't it time that the public were given the breakdown of these figures? Why do bureaucrats seem reluctant to show them? Are we being manipulated?
Helen Overton
Mt Eden
Brute reality
Having read Joan Mann's response to my letter of 5.10.24, I'm a little mystified as to how my describing a government "hell bent" on a ruthless pursuit of value is laudatory, and I don't see the logical connection between out-of-specification-and-budget government activities, and the changes in smoking regulation. Rather than taking some kind of political position, I'm interested in speculating on realpolitik: what the specific situation actually is and the behavioural drivers actually are, rather than what people might like them to be.
Imaginatively superimposing our desires on politics' brute reality is a sure recipe for disappointment.
David Cohen
Kew
Plea for retention of a Milton Art Deco gem
I wish to draw your attention to the matter of the Clutha District Council asking for submissions for the spending of over $19 million on a new library and swimming pool in Milton, and the subsequent demolition of the present library and council centre.
While I think that the spending of more money we don't have on a building project we don't need, is sincerely unwise and foolhardy, what I am more distressed about is the demolition of yet another historic building. 124 Union St, the present library and council centre, is a gem of architectural design, modernist Art Deco design at its best, and Heritage NZ agrees with me.
This building was designed by architect Gordon R Stone, of Dunedin firm Stone and Sturmer. Gorton R Stone designed many Art Deco buildings around the Dunedin area: unfortunately most have been changed beyond recognition, but 124 Union St is as it was drawn.
Built in 1944, a remarkable feat in itself during World War 2, it has been well cared for and maintained.
It has great simplistic style, even down to its original flag pole and Deco fittings and windows. Only a single-storey building, it blends in perfectly with its sympathetic 1970s extension.
The building is light and airy inside, and works well in its present use as a real centre for Milton community life.
This building should not be bulldozed.
Rachel Wightman
Milton
Centenary
St Michael's and All Angels Anderson's Bay will be celebrating its centenary on November 2-3 with a dinner and launch of the updated parish history. For details contact the parish office, phone 454-4724 or opanglican@xtra.co.nz
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
