Letter to the Editor, Tuesday January 12, 2016

Rock shock

I am shocked to read of Dover and his cohorts' eagerness to spend (probably) tens of thousands of our dollars on blowing up the basalt structure below the water at Waipapa Landing (Too many boats on the roads, December 17).

The article begs a couple of questions.

1. Why were the 'improvements' to the ramp pontoon allowed to proceed so near to a natural hazard without due regard to possible consequences?

2. Why not initiate the installation of cardinal signs (instead of buoys) to save one heck of a lot of money?

3. Are Dover and his men now going to address all naturally-occurring hazards that exist in our northern waters?

Surely the hazard must have been addressed before the FNH project to 'improve' the facility went ahead. It seems there has been an increase in propeller incidents since the 'improvements.'

Good boaties can navigate the waterways if appropriate signage is in place. Poor boaties will continue to be problematic no matter how far you stretch the budget.

Explosives, dead marine life, danger to property, resource consents, contractors, endless delays due to objections etc. Not an inspiring matter.

COLIN HUMPHREY

Totara North