Letters: Flood inaction blame misplaced

Flooding on Pioneer Rd in Ngongotahā in April 2018. Photo / File

Charles Sturt (Letters, January 25) attacks the Bay of Plenty Regional Council for inaction. In my view, this will only make the troubled relationship between BOPRC and Rotorua Lakes Council worse.

True, the flood review did find that silting, undermined trees, erosion and slips helped worsen the April 29, 2018 flash flood.

But it also found that "both councils have responsibilities for managing flood risk and that either council could have proactively taken steps to reduce known flood risks, especially in the reach upstream of the Ngongotahā road bridge, on the basis of the information provided by BOPRC in 2005 -2007".

He was therefore, I believe, mistaken to blame the BOPRC for not responding to the RLC's request in 2007 and 2017 for a river management plan above the Ngongotahā bridge, and for wasting locals' money on "costly talkers rather than action".

Only those free of sin should cast the first stone.

C'mon Cr Sturt, time to resign.

(Abridged)

Harry Brasser
Rotorua

Tauranga dominates regional council

Well done Councillor Charles Sturt for highlighting the obligation the Bay of Plenty Regional Council has to look after our waterways.

I hesitate to call this organisation "our" Regional Council. I can remember when we used to have three representatives from Rotorua on it, Tauranga decided we only needed two, and saw that it was done.

I remember when the Bay of Plenty lost the national velodrome to the Waikato, because in part Tauranga delegates on BOPRC deemed that the citizens of Tauranga should not be burdened with rates that would build a facility in Rotorua.

I remember when BOPRC through its ownership of the Port of Tauranga had a big "regional" cash distribution as Tauranga wanted a university; Tauranga got $20m, we got two.

We in Rotorua should be aware that Tauranga is again complaining that it needs a bigger representation on the BOPRC. They want more which will only increase the domination of Tauranga over the rest of the region. A "Regional" council? It is, but in name only.

John Pakes
Ngongotahā

New councillors needed

Just read Charles Sturt's letter.

Is this the same bloke that's been on council for decades? And is now bleating on about Regional Council inaction?

Then he skilfully points out that Lakes Council has been "requesting" the Regional Council do something about a lack of river management above the Ngongotahā bridge for over five years.

I've said it for years, we need councillors that actually do something and are vocal all the time.

Not this lot.

(Abridged)

Karel Rottier
Rotorua

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