North Shore Times (New Zealand)
LIGHTS MAINTAINED: NZTA
In a letter, Brian Smith from Hillcrest claimed among other things ‘‘NZTA ignores 25 dead overhead lights between Shelley Beach and Onewa Roads’’. This is not correct. The Transport Agency does not ignore faulty lights. They are identified and replaced as part of the agency’s 24/7 maintenance programme that keeps the bridge open and operating safely. The latest monthly inspection found 15 bridge lights need attention. They’ll be replaced this week.
The maintenance practice is not to replace a single light but to wait until there are 6 or more on one side of the bridge and then schedule a night time closure of two lanes while the lights are fixed. If more than 2 adjacent lights are not working and there’s a potential loss of light quality, they are fixed as soon as possible.
The Transport Agency has a managed maintenance strategy that keeps costs to a sensible level without compromise to traffic safety or levels of service.
Steve Mutton
NZ Transport Agency
KARAKA - A BETTER IDEA
A field guide to native edible plants by A Crowe published by Collins suggests a better approach to using Karaka trees rather than destroying them .’The raw flesh of the ripe berry is very tasty, described as tasting like apricot or fresh date. The kernel requires processing by way of boiling and water change and was cultivated and eaten by Ma¯ ori and European settlers and described as being ‘‘eaten with relish.’’ Once dried, the kernels were stored for winter eating. Here in the Onepoto, where I live, a kereru deposited a karaka kernel and I have a fine tree pushing itself up on the edge of Onepoto volcano .
Kevin Fox
Northcote
SAFESWIM QUESTIONED
The drainage problems affecting Shore beaches have been well documented. The lack of serious remedial action has been widely recognised as disgraceful. In lieu of fixing these problems, Safeswim as a service to beachgoers is a good concept. But it is based primarily on computer modelled forecasting data and can throw up nonsensical results. For example, the popular Tuesday evening Beach Series on Takapuna Beach has been rudely affected by a lack of commonsense in interpreting the red ‘no swim’ indicator on the Safeswim website. Neither in the intervening period or immediately prior was there any rainfall or toxic spill and no
ACTUAL HEALTH HAZARD
Council politicians and staff seem to be taking delight in claiming credit for a new electronic screen at Takapuna Beach telling us when we can’t swim, based on data which will be out of date by the time it goes up on the sign. Right now at the northern end of the beach, there is a festering, septic, stinking mess caused by rotting vegetation or sewage leachate. This is a health hazard and a disgrace for Auckland’s best beach. It would be nice to see some action from the council on actually cleaning up the beach. Garry Venus
Takapuna
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.