Golf course takes centre stage
dominated the submissions.
Glenn Howlett wrote he was ‘‘really really concerned’’.
‘‘I’m not a golf fan, but nor do I see beauty in a coastline developed and jammed with housing or hotels and businesses.’’
Barry Hoben wrote that the site, part of the Peringa Park Recreation Reserve, used to be Ma¯ ori Reserve Land set aside for his ancestor, Hone Rohipa.
‘‘Through means fair or foul, the reserve has come under the control of NPDC. Be that as it may, do no further harm.’’ But not everyone agreed. Joel Richardson wrote that selling off part of the golf course was ‘‘a sensible option’’.
‘‘Very few people use it; New Plymouth has an abundance of golf courses and we don’t need golf courses in the centre of the city.’’
Other popular topics included focusing on current infrastructure rather than new flagship projects, further developing walkways, creating dog parks, waste and recycling management and rates increases.
Tourism, water, sports centre developments and roading were also raised.
David Barrell wrote it was hard to live on the minimum wage in New Plymouth. ‘‘You are driving me out of my hometown. I will have to go back and live in Australia.’’
But not all responses were negative, with Mike Hardy writing that the council generally ‘‘do a great job’’ but needed to make sure it only spent money on what was needed rather than increasing debt for projects that were mere wants.
The submissions documents had a total of 5096 pages which were released to the public on Friday morning. By law councillors need to read each one, but they did receive them several weeks ago.
Council also received 127 submissions on its financial policies.
Council hearings from 240 submitters will begin today at
9am with each person having six minutes to state their case.
The council will consider the submissions and reports on June
6.
However, some residents were clearly unimpressed with all options on offer.
‘‘Resign, the lot of you,’’ Colin Lister wrote. ‘‘That would make New Plymouth great again.’’