Lifeblood services under threat
The health of our communities is paramount. Sometimes identifying the council’s role in how we achieve this requires digging a little deeper.
At first glance it might not seem obvious that the infrastructure our organisation is responsible for – wastewater systems, or libraries, for example – contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
However, all of the work we do strives towards creating happy and well-rounded communities.
Local government cannot be responsible for providing every single service that contributes towards this.
We are incredibly fortunate here in Southland where communities have cultivated a broad base of knowledge and expertise to provide services that make our district a better place to live.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities: without people putting their hands up, from volunteer fire brigades to mentoring young people and toiling in conservation groups, Southland would find it all the more difficult to keep ticking over.
The services our volunteers provide – out of the sheer love of doing so – are absolutely crucial to the long-term health and success of our communities.
It is alarming to me that some of these services are under threat.
For instance, I find it deeply concerning that Te Anau has not been included in the list of rescue helicopter bases under a proposal by the National Ambulance Sector’s Office, and instead would be serviced by rescue services from Queenstown or Dunedin.
It is not until one has assisted in the rescue of an individual, or returned a loved one from a fatal event in a remote area, that one can actually understand the dedication and professionalism this type of incident requires.
I have personally been involved in hundreds of rescues, body recovery and medical-related events that have required the services of air rescue.
By my last count I had some 500 hours of crewing in helicopters with the likes of Bill Black, Trevor Green, Doc Sutherland and Sir Richard Hayes.
Whether that was on a long strop out at Solander Island, a long haul to the Auckland Islands or nestled up on a bluff somewhere in Fiordland – I have to say that there was never a loss of life due to the inefficiency of the response.
When I heard of this preposterous idea, thrown out by someone far away, that they know how to do this better – well, my response was an instinctive ‘‘yeah right’’.
How can anybody think they know better than those who have trained – over countless hours spanning decades – to support ambulance, police, and the rescue coordination centre? I simply don’t believe they do. Battling government reviews takes time.
It takes a real toll on our communities where, without volunteers, the collective health and wellbeing of everybody that calls that place home would suffer immensely.
So many unrealistic ideas come from afar and it’s not until the person making the final decision actually comes down to our beautiful part of the world that they understand the distances, terrain, and realities we are dealing with.
Whomever thought up this absolutely unacceptable review needs to come down here and talk with those who work at the coal face.
I will continue to voice my support for this service to stay in Fiordland as that is the sensible, logical and lifesaving answer.
I believe lives will be lost if we lose this service.
Of equal concern is the safety of new lives arriving in Southland.
At the moment a proposal to disestablish the birthing unit at the Lumsden Maternity Centre is being discussed in the public arena.
The Southern District Health Board has proposed changing the current inpatient primary birthing unit to one of five newly-designated maternal and child hubs.
Healthcare services should not depend on your postcode, and those living in rural Southland should have the same right to timely healthcare access as those living in urban centres do.
If the birthing centre is closed, I worry we will see increased pressure on the maternity services available in other areas as a result.
Here in the Southland District, population growth is forecast for Te Anau, which will place further strain on maternity services available there.
Pregnant women in Lumsden looking to head north may find the situation there concerning too.
The number of people choosing to live in places like Kingston, coupled with Queenstown’s population, visitor numbers and limited hospital services, means that may not be easily accessible either – and where might the air support be?
Although our population is small, those of us living in Southland should still be able to count on services that enable us to live happy and healthy lives.
Our volunteers need to be able to continue supporting our communities without fighting reviews.
Some are saying enough is enough, and that’s a real worry.
Gary Tong is the Southland District Mayor. And a former police officer involved in Search and Rescue.