Headlights are also for being seen
As a visitor to your lovely city of Christchurch from Perth, Western Australia, I am shocked and dismayed at the many drivers I see on your country roads in very poor conditions without having their headlights on. Our drivers in Australia are no better but we seldom encounter such bad conditions caused by the fog, drizzle and winter weather. Surely the motorists would realise that having their headlights on would be of benefit to their fellow road users, and most likely avoid potentially fatal crashes? Maybe the unthinking drivers assume that headlights are only for seeing with and not to be seen by? Or maybe they think it will cost them money to run their lights? ‘‘Pushing the boat out’’ (June 1) about the 2021 Americas Cup in Auckland, highlights a city supported by the Labour Government versus Christchurch city where any pushing is done over broken infrastructure.
Regeneration Minister Megan Woods, who has more spin than an Aussie cricket ball, announced in April after the release of the Government Policy Statement, that money was on the table for commuter rail in Christchurch and Labour was fulfilling their preelection promise of $100 million for the Christchurch transport network. Then in the May Budget the Minister of Finance, without even trying to hide it from the cameras, reached into his Minister of Sport kit-bag for the infamous Australian sandpaper, and with a few quick hand movements had scuffed out the promised $100m for our city and passed it back to his own sports portfolio and the Auckland yacht race. pub quiz night held by the Edgeware Pool Team. The will to have a pool back in the heart of the community was inspiring, humbling and compelling in equal measure. And already they have the site purchased and an excellent design in place. Now is the time I believe for the Council and the whole of Christchurch to get behind and back this project.
Yes, that means money but not as a first principle but as a partnership in every meaning of that word. Together we can do this thing and everyone wins. I am sure there is a way that the Council can invest in and support this project and get return on their investment through revenues, sponsorship and so on. The capital cost of the cost of the project is not substantial compared to other proposed similar projects – less than $4 million. The Edgeware Pool design is modest, practical, sensible and sustainable and represents excellent value on cost.
But for me the cost of not doing the project is far greater.
I loved our pool when we were young. But I will love it even more when I see the new Edgeware Pool there on a visit back home. Twice recently I’ve ordered small items (an item of lingerie and a single CD) online and was puzzled why they didn’t appear in our PO box, as either could have fitted into an A5 postbag.
All was made clear when our wonderful rural posties handed the goods over. Each item had been packed into a disproportionately large carton mostly filled with air, some of it in specially inflated plastic. The lingerie carton measured 475 x
315 x 165mm and the CD carton was approximately a cube 195 x
150 x 163mm. Now I’ve got a lot of unwanted and unnecessary stuff to get rid of.
This is insane packaging, which causes huge problems for the rural mail delivery vans. These carry many different items, from medication to newspapers, as well as posted and courier mail of all shapes and sizes.
Imagine if every small item came in a huge carton; the vans would fill up in no time, which in turn becomes a cost: fewer items in a van, and large items require hand delivery to the door.
Please, online retailers – get real about your packaging!