LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
‘Back off’ park Council is proposing to alter the concept and physiology of the World War II Memorial Park.
This is wrong. The park was publicly funded, completely independent of the council.
It was created to commemorate those who gave their lives in World War II.
Council’s concept change proposals are an insult to the memory of the men of World War II.
On the day it was opened (December 5, 1955) by the Prime Minister Sidney Holland, RSA executive committee member G Gower stated “This park is in memory of those gallant lads who gave their lives so that we may live as we would do. We have built this beautiful park in their memory. See that it is kept beautiful so that we will remember them.”
Council, back off. Do not disrespect those who gave their lives in World War II.
Tidy up the park, but maintain its concept and existing character. Robin Duncan Auckland water Those Aucklanders profligately wasted their water while we skimped and our gardens died of drought. Their assumption of entitlement to water from “our” Waikato River to mitigate their shortfall adds insult to our injured feelings. But hang on, aren’t we planning to take water from that same river? Whoops, we are no different from Auckland, except 50 years behind.
Auckland City has been waiting seven years for a hearing for its application to draw extra river water. Our entitlement may be no more secure in future and if the water tastes like Hamilton’s, we won’t drink it.
Meantime Auckland pursues other options, announcing that resource consent fees will be waived forthwith for those who wish to install tanks. and producing a step-by-step flow chart to help homeowners comply. with resource, building and health and safety codes while conserving water on site.
Auckland’s planners expect domestic water conservation to ease the pressure of sudden downpours on the stormwater system and water the garden, wash the car, flush the toilet and do the washing while saving many millions of litres.
Lowered water supply charges and volumetric wastewater charges are financial benefits for ratepayers to combine with environmental benefits. Their streamlined planning processes make rainwater tank installation attractive in Auckland, while Waipa¯ lags behind.
Hindsight enables criticism of Auckland for not building light rail to the airport back in the 1970s. Foresight for Waipa¯’s projected local and regional water management is the telescope of Auckland’s solutions, for us to implement today. Nick Empson It’s disrespect Over the last few weeks I have listened to many people with the “catch call” of “You cannot change history” . . . what has happened in the past has been done and it is all part of our heritage.
We cannot be answerable for many events that have happened in the past, but there are some events and monuments we should treasure and never forget.
With regards to the so-called “upgrading” of the Te Awamutu and District War memorial park, the present council is showing total disrespect for our families who mooted the idea of the park as a sanctuary of peace and remembrance for all the men and women who put their lives on the line. for us.
The War Memorial Park is about peace and tranquillity and it was created and financed by many old Te Awamutu families for whom the memories of World War II were still very fresh in their minds. and some of them still feeling the ramifications on their families from World War I.
Now the realisation has hit that this area has been let to slip into disrepair and has been treated like it has been forgotten for years. For this I would say shame on all previous district councillors for the past 20 or 30 years for allowing this to happen. Suddenly you all want to spring into life and rectify what you have allowed it to become.
No. We do not want to change anything. As a resident, talking to others, they appear to be in agreement.
We want the War Memorial Park returned to its former state and original glory. Why would you even contemplate shifting the Peace Fountain — just get the water flowing through it again. The pond needs to be cleaned up, new plantings and paths, gardens and seats.
I was shocked when I got a copy of the submission to fill in with proposals for the park. I have never seen such a biased consultation form.
Answer any of the questions apart from “What do you think about the overall draft concept plan?” and you are in fact giving a tick of approval for any real changes
. . . and this is how council will see this.
Of course new planting of native trees etc. is long overdue, give us back the pathway networks that were accessible to people of all ages and seeing the fernhouse again would be great . . . but this is all restoration.
Be very careful how you answer in your submission.
With regards to recreating the playground, we have one of the best playgrounds and Rose Gardens just metres away.
The Te Awamutu and District Memorial park needs to be seen as a place of restfulness and quiet gratitude for our history. This was always the main objective of the whole project in the early 1950s.
We want a park that shows we respect the lives lost and that peace is paramount.
Respect our earlier generations and restore the park. It could be a beautiful showpiece Te Awamutu could be proud of.