Forestry could be key to Dunedin’s recovery from economic blow

I AGREE with David Marsh, speaking in his role of representing the Otago chapter of the Property Council (ODT, 8.5.20), in ‘‘stripping the fat’’ from council to provide essential services only, and reduce funding required from the ratepayer.

Expenditure and borrowings for ‘‘touchyfeely’’ projects should not be on the table.

However, his suggestion of including the sale of City Forests as a costcutting measure is extremely shortsighted; the opposite should be contemplated.

This particular company, in its various guises over the years, has provided millions of dollars in rates relief to the ratepayer, provides meaningful direct and indirect employment to many ratepayers, attracts overseas funds for New Zealand, and is a substantial asset which Dunedin city is able to use as collateral for short/longterm borrowings.

The initial growth of this company can be found during the Depression years of the early 1930s, providing meaningful work for the unemployed of the day and creating an asset for future generations. Those generations have been receiving the benefits of those efforts (very much ‘‘under the radar’’), for the past 40plus years.

The $20 million from the regional development fund, earmarked for the harbour basin development, should now be diverted into further expanding the city’s forestry assets.

This expenditure would then be used to provide extra employment for those who may require it in the uncertain times ahead (likened to the 1930s).

The real returns from this investment will provide funding for future generations to cover the costs of existing and future longterm commitments. Better to only have one white elephant to pay for in the upper harbour, rather than two.

Peter Johnston

Fairfield

Social distancing

I AM hoping soon to be able to join my fellow citizens on the streets of Dunedin.

Bearing in mind social distancing, I am a bit concerned about the procedure when meeting people endon. Is there any unwritten law or recommendation as to how to keep distance from each other?

Regarding which way to turn to avoid closequarter situations, I suspect that in this country people tend to keep left and pass in the same way as road traffic.

If this is the case then do people from countries who drive on the right do the opposite?

The same situation could apply to supermarkets and so on.

As a matter if interest, ships meeting endon are required by law to alter course to the right (starboard) so to pass port to port. Having spent many years at sea, I tend to do the same, which probably explains why I end up in so many nearcollisions.

John Kennedy

Balaclava