On the stern of the Rena at 30m with Glen Ladkin, at Astrolabe reef. Photo/supplied
On the stern of the Rena at 30m with Glen Ladkin, at Astrolabe reef. Photo/supplied
Copper concern in harbour
"The recent article "Debris of Rena has life" raises some interesting observations, none more so than the comment from Roger King - captain and marine consultant who has dived on the wreck 40 times.
"Mr King claims 7-12 tonnes of copper has dissipated and 9 tonnes has been recovered. From all of the hearings I have followed or attended, it is the copper that was the principal concern of environmental groups, Iwi and local hapu.
"If there's such a strong feeling about copper outside the harbour, then where is the same concern about the copper pollution on the inside of the harbour and the surrounding whenua?
"Post Psa and since the grounding of the Rena we have allowed pure poisonous copper in the form of agri chemical sprays at an alarming rate (1-5kg per hectare per application) to be poured on to the whenua - up to 10 times a year.
"This equates to hundreds of tonnes of copper that has not, and will not, dissipate like the copper on the Rena. I have continuously challenged the kiwifruit industry and Regional Council to start testing the 2000ha of copper affected land in Tauranga Moana, so we can understand what our tamariki will inherit. "Thus far no one has accepted this challenge. I wonder why?"
Tommy K Wilson Te Puna
Bypass costs
"I see the first of the choices for the structure of the SH2 Katikati bypass and call me a cynic, but I'm not surprised to see proposals for huge roundabouts, great areas of private properties cut into and new concepts being presented to confuse and divide opinion, divert huge amounts of money into the hands of planners and contractors and ensuring it will not operate until the year dot.
Heavy traffic on SH2 through Katikati's mainstreet is constant but P Martin offers other options to the proposed byapss. Photo/file
"The north-bound bypass can veer off the highway at the pull-off area on the left past the packhouse, pass southwest of the RSA & Citizens, under Henry and Rewaka Drive and bridge it over the Henry Rd as was always the intention. South-bound traffic from Katikati town turning on to the bypass to travel north could do so from centered hatching. A minimum of road widening at Marshal / Henry Rd would also enable a hatched marking to make this intersection safer. By diverting most of the heavy traffic I fail to see the necessity of the expensive proposals. (Abridged)
"There are several solutions to the problem of the $256 million needed to be borrowed for fast tracking future infrastructure.
"Run a legally binding referendum by ratepayers on whether it should go ahead. If the answer is no, council carry out the works as it can afford.
"If yes, then we have options.
"The first (which I favour), put a levy of $10,000 to $20,000 on every section sold. This to be paid by the developer immediately the sale goes through. Or secondly, wipe $25m off each of the first 10 years of the 20-year plan to pay off the debt.
"It may be said levying developers will increase the cost of houses but neither developers nor builders have done anything to hold prices other than blame councils for not making more land available." (Abridged)
