Leith scheme questions need to be answered
THE recent letters from one of the main contractors, Russell Lund, and a former Otago regional councillor, Gerry Eckhoff, regarding serious problems with the Water of Leith floodprotection scheme have not been satisfactorily answered by Dr Gavin Palmer of the ORC.
Clearly there are major design, construction and historical financial reporting inadequacies. The cost of this scheme has multiplied from
$11 million in 2008 to many times that.
Mr Eckhoff asked what the total cost of the scheme was to date and what the estimated completion date is. Dr Palmer chose to ignore both questions in his reply (ODT, 27.6.18), which I found extraordinary.
As to the elected members of the ORC, I would describe them as being like rabbits left to safeguard a carrot patch. It’s OK to laugh, but don’t mention the buses, the rivers, the
$30 million edifice they want to build on a very busy car park, their many duties that already overlap with those of the DCC and today’s estimated 21% rate increase.
I am sure readers anxiously await your factual reply to Mr Eckhoff’s two questions, Dr Palmer.
Philip Gillen
Dunedin
Fund essential services
CHRIS Trotter’s article (ODT, 29.6.18) is probably correct in claiming that the ‘‘loss in business confidence’’ is politically motivated and intended to bring down the Government, but that doesn’t mean the present Government is powerless before such an assault.
There are circumstances, like the 2007 economic crash, where the loss in confidence is authentic, where banks can’t find borrowers and nor will businesses risk investing.
Under such circumstances the Government must take the lead in funding essential services.
There are certainly plenty of opportunities, like in the housing and health and education sectors, following the failure of the last government to spend at all.
Reserve Banks worldwide spent trillions of dollars to shore up private banks in the last economic crisis, without causing inflation.
Our Reserve Bank could create all the money we need to fund the nation’s projects, without being held to ransom by big business — if we have the courage. Dennis Dorney
Calton Hill
Religion in schools
I SUPPORT the secular nature of New Zealand primary schools.
A law was introduced early in New Zealand’s education history by our forefathers because of the hold religion had over schools, education and citizens. The Education Act 1964 ‘‘affirms that teaching in primary schools must be secular’’.
Religion in state schools is not the innocent participant it makes out to be. I have experienced it firsthand as a New Zealandtrained teacher with at least 30 years teaching in New Zealand state schools. I have recently retired from permanent teaching.
I objected to the oral content a number of times because parts of the religious teacher’s own beliefs were shared.
Religious content creates difficulties with presentday science teaching, and critical thinking. The zealousness I also found disturbing.
B. D. Armstrong
Cromwell
Otago hotel plans
OUR fivestar friend, unable to make his own rules in our sandpit, has taken his toys and moved on (ODT, 28.6.18). Whew!
Ever the thoughtful citizen, though, he plans to avoid overburdening the local builders and craftsmen by having ‘‘modules’’ built offshore, shipped in and assembled on site. A triumph for whom?
John Van Buskirk
Wakari