‘Outrageous’ timing

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Re: $3.83 million dollar bridge project at Kaiti Beach and proposed $6 million whare on Kaiti Hill.

I absolutely agree with your sentiments “Blew my socks off” ex Gisbornite, Gisborne Herald 23/9.

The timing for this kind of spending is simply outrageous. We have so many outstanding issues following two years of pandemic and recent cyclones; folk still displaced from their homes, roads that need fixing, and many social issues to deal to. These problems cannot be sorted overnight.

I’m not concerned about tourists having a great view of the bay. They can see it from many other vantage points (minus the slash of course).

But I am concerned for many folk who are in desperate situations, not of their making. Remember you big spenders with your flash ideas, “Charity begins at home”!

MOLLY PARDOE

This bridge should never have taken priority over urgent needs in this region.

I could not see the logic in the allocation in the first place. The Covid response cost huge amounts, why then allocate funds to a non-functional item which could easily be deferred?

Since then, damage to farms, homes, roading and infrastructure caused by the ongoing weather events this year should be the priority to council and government and the review of expenditure should have recognised this. $3.5 million could provide a substantial housing increase, and take many people out of the hardship they continue to suffer.

D Arthur