Neither comprehensive nor compelling
The headline said it all: "Benefits of extension trumpeted", on the front page in Monday’s edition (ODT 6.11.23).
"Trumpeted" sums it all up perfectly. Here we have again the chairman of the Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board, Andrew Simms, who just happens to be part of the Trail Trusts working group, again championing the ripping up of Dunedin's unique and arguably only genuine tourist attraction, the Taieri Gorge Railway, and converting it into yet another cycleway.
Mr Simms describes the report, written for the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust no less, as a "comprehensive report" that is "compelling".
Yet the report talks of only "possible benefits and potential value that could bring or might host". Possible, potential, could, might, may, etc etc. Compelling? Really? Who is kidding who here?
We can only hope city councillors are able to see this report for what it is and vote to put the Taieri Gorge Railway under the council’s Land Transport budget just as New Zealand's national railway network is now with NZTA.
Childish free-for-all
So it is now going to be a free-for-all for Dunedin "children" (as defined by numerous laws and regulations) aged 16 years to be able to vote for the city council. Children who have just been allowed to stay at home alone for two years since turning 14; children not held responsible for their actions in a criminal court until they are 18 years old (if then); children who in the main do not pay taxes or rates or contribute financially towards the maintenance of national and local services, education, health and housing.
But for some reason, the majority of councillors think children are entitled (despite the above) to vote on who should lead our city. Dare I suggest that you can’t have it both ways — if they are deemed mature enough to vote at 16, ipso facto (by that very act) they are also old enough to be tried in a criminal court instead of a youth court.
The right to vote is a privilege, not something to be handed out in a lolly scramble to immature (according to definitions/regulations by government departments, educationalists, the legal system) and non-contributing citizens.
The DCC voted to endorse a proposed law change which, if passed by Parliament, would allow people aged 16 or over to vote in local government elections. The voting age will not change unless Parliament passes the Bill. — Editor.
Ceasefire now
Professor Robert Patman's opinion piece on Israel's war on Gaza (ODT 3.11.23) is an informed, dispassionate, and constructive contribution to the debate about this very complex, horribly tragic, and highly volatile conflict. Fighting a fire with a flamethrower can only increase the conflagration. We should all pressure our incoming prime minister, Christopher Luxon, to support an immediate Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
Govt of unity
If it is indeed true we are all facing an endless climate emergency, would it not be desirable for Christopher Luxon to ask the Greens to form a government of unity with them? And would the Greens feel like they should try for the good of the nation?
The last thing we need now is a lot of abrasive individuals mixed together in one government. Also, the Greens have a lot more experience than the others in the business of governing.
Mr Luxon lives here too and to minimise the misery of his fellow citizens at this time in history’s balance would be a nice thing .
Pukehiki, a source of joy on the peninsula
Thank you for the article and photo of Pukehiki Church Restoration (ODT 30.10.23).
Pukehiki Church was founded by William Larnach, next to Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula and is one of Dunedin's oldest chapels of the early settlers.
Robert A. Lawson was the architect of Pukehiki Church, built in 1867.
He also later designed First Church (1873), East Taieri Presbyterian Church (1873), Knox Church (1876) and Larnach Castle (1876).
Thank you to the builders, painters, engineers and local community who have worked together over many years to save this historic Otago Peninsula church.
Pukehiki Church is a "holy temple" of our ancestors that has been lovingly restored.
It could be a dream location for weddings and funerals. It has good heating and electronics now.
The light just shines through the windows of the newly restored Presbyterian church: "The joy of the Lord is my strength".
Knowing what is good for the community
Thanks to the ODT and Phillip Chandler for the largely balanced article about the "realignment" of the Gibbston Bike Trail (2.10.23).
Mr Williams of Queenstown Trails Trust (QTT) makes several statements which warrant a response. He states that moving the trail will improve safety; it will not, in some sections it cannot legally or physically be moved; it nevertheless complies with the NZTA minimum of 60cm from the road (example: Frank’s Creek Crossing).
Yet further along the highway Mr Williams/QTT want to move the trail even further than its current 2m-4m from the road and destroy long-standing vineyards, pasture, and horticulture? The trail has heavily used road crossing points at Gibbston Valley Winery, Coal Pit Rd, Kinross, and Gibbston Back Rd. As Gibbston locals know, if there’s a death (and there have been a lot of close calls), it will occur at one of those crossings.
If Mr Williams is truly concerned about biker safety, he should concentrate QTT’s efforts on safe crossings, and barriers where the trail is already practically in the road. It is true that the trail is now, in some places, a few centimetres wide, due to lack of maintenance which neither QTT nor NZTA nor QLDC have ever provided, have not budgeted for, and will never provide.
The only maintenance in over 20 years (spraying, mowing, collecting trash) has been by us, the "trespassing" adjacent landowners.
Mr Williams references QTT’s aesthetics and a "better experience". This includes destroying vineyards, pasture, and horticulture which is designated "Highly Productive Land, Category 3"? Let’s call this "minor realignment" what it is: QTT (and through its proxies, NZTA and QLDC) dictating to a community "you don’t know what’s good for you, we do".
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
