Letters to the editor: Tauranga's congestion problem needs addressing

Tauranga City Council wants to change car driver behaviour. Photo/file

Addressing congestion

Congratulations to the Tauranga Council transport committee, for its reported view on changing commuter behaviour (News, May 12). Those councillors (Curach, Molloy, Baldock, Grainger, Morris, Stewart, Robson and Mayor Brownless) gave the clear committee intent to move Tauranga's car patronage to buses as a means to alleviate road congestion. There is certainly a congestion problem; evidenced by personal experience of getting home last Friday night, taking 1.5 hours down Cameron Rd from 10th Ave to Pyes Pa. It demonstrates a complete lack of success by committees to address the congestion problem: there is plenty of room along the entire stretch of Cameron Rd to accommodate four lanes plus a cycle lane, which would go a long way to address congestion. If the committee is so intent on "changing behaviour" toward that of bus patronage, then clearly all members of the transport committee should renounce use of their cars to get to work, decline work car park spaces and use bus services as their sole means to get to work. On a regular basis too: try getting to work on time, rain or shine, including for many, the long walk to the nearest bus-stop. Only then would members clearly be able to see the real issues involved.
Richard Cross
Pyes Pa

Stand and be counted

Peter Dey, once more you have let your enthusiasm interfere with the facts (Letters, May 4). You state that Maori candidates for election in councils are disadvantaged by the number of non-Maori voters. Mr Dey, Maori candidates do not stand for election. In the present parliament, there are 25 per cent Maori members including the leader and deputy leader of the National Party from 14.9 per cent of the population. One can scarcely call that under-representation. But those MPs stood for office, which Maori do not do in local body elections.
Bryan Johnson
Omokoroa

Museum support

I write in support of a museum in Tauranga City. I can't see how the council can use the recent referendum result as a basis for its decisions. Aside from the voter turnout being very low, there is a well-planned - and mandatory - process of community consultation on the council's Long Term Plan being undertaken, and the hastily-arranged referendum can't override the outcomes of that consultation, or be given undue weight against them. Simple yes/no voting is not what's intended by the requirement for councils to consult.
I see a museum as a key facility in a well-developed, grown-up city that knows where it has come from, is proud of what it has become, and dreams of ways to make things even better in the future. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to do everything possible to make Tauranga a fantastic place to live, and it would be wonderful to offer visitors a high-quality snapshot of "our place", as many of us have been fortunate to experience in other towns and cities. The council has the opportunity here to initiate a legacy of genuine benefit for the future of the Tauranga community. I hope it has the wisdom and strength to do so.
Dallas Collett
Bethlehem

Thanks for compassion

Having just spent time in CCU at Tauranga Hospital I wish to convey my heartfelt thanks for the care I received while there. Each and every one of the staff were professional and compassionate at all times and kept me well informed from day to day, which I appreciated. What a great team and such a great asset you all are. Thank you.
E Hellawell
Papamoa