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Fix a bad decision
The latest National Environment Report revealing soil loss and the impact of intensive agriculture was not new news, but compels me to write in support of protesting the outcome of the Southland Water and Land Plan.
Southland Federated Farmers President, Mr Allan Baird is a documented denier of climate change despite its obvious impact throughout New Zealand, and it would seem his real protests are about denting profit margins.
At least one important aquifer locally is near collapse, and rivers over summer turned into trickles as they were drained by irrigating farmers who gave no thought beyond their overstocked farms.
The Waituna Lagoon, a much heralded ‘‘River of National Importance’’, National’s token gesture to being ‘‘Blue-Green’’, is now again subject to toxic algae and probable collapse.
The whitebait, a local delicacy, is near extinction.
When I go diving, I have to search the sediment for the elusive paua, hidden sometimes under a centimetre or more of smothering muck.
How much of the 200 million tons of soil loss happens in Southland, and how is it affecting our marine environments?
Federated Farmers’ rejection of the science based Physiographic Zone Land Management System developed by Environment Southland seems to be evidence that they are anti science, and only pro profit.
Strangely, the farming industry is putting it’s faith in a science that will stop cows and sheep farting.
But it won’t stop the effluent washed off the hills into streams not covered by fencing rules, or washing through the Northern Southland gravels.
Let’s get real, and farm to real conditions, and not just bank balances. David Russell Invercargill
Rural ratepayers
The Pyramid bridge had been in a disastrous state for many years and should have been updated years ago. It is used by many rural ratepayers who expect the rural roads to be kept in good condition, but no.
Get this bridge renewed. The funds must be there; the rural ratepayers have paid up over the years.
The pot holes have just been filled with tar seal and are now too big.
All the rural ratepayer funds appear to go into the town of Gore.
We are very grateful that a loss of life did not occur, but it was a close call.
The Otama water supply was also lost at the time of the bridge collapse and farmers having to cart water to stock would have had it repaired in a day, not a week.. They would also have put a new pipe higher, to avoid further damage in future.
Gore District Council - a fair go please. Rural people are important. Joan H Whyte Gore
Israel Folau
I would just like to offer a reply to Art Brammer (April 23) and anyone else with the same views. Israel Folau may very well be just relaying what he has been taught from a 3000-year-old book, but the real issue here is that comments like this cause harm in our society. For the same reason that Nike, Adidas and Pepsi pay and use sports stars to sell their product, people will also listen to everything else they say -they are role models and influential members of society.
New Zealand has a shameful youth suicide rate, particularly amongst marginalised individuals such as gay youth. If Israel, or others like him wish to hold these beliefs, they need to check themselves and remember who is paying attention and acknowledge that in becoming a successful sports star they have a certain obligation to uphold. Harmful comments from sports role models have no place or benefit in our society and freedom of speech does not equate to freedom of speech without consequence. J C Peterson Invercargill
Drab black
Last week I saw a big photo of all the athletes who came back from the Commonwealth Games in Australia. The results achieved for NZ are great. However, looking at the the drab black uniforms in the picture made me not feel great. I find the colour depressing and enjoyed watching competitors from other countries in beautiful bright outfits. Hopefully many people share my opinion and as a result colourful sports clothing could be worn in future. Doetie Keizer Riverton