Limited access is throttling the region’s growth

Re Waka Kotahi’s dismal State Highway five roading proposals. What stands out for me is the silence of our elected MPs on the issue.

Unless I have missed it, there’s been next to no comment from them, and no response or leadership on their part to represent the views of their constituents to stand up for Hawke’s Bay and fight our cause. In Saturday’s issue of HBT, Stuart Nash runs a cute little piece on winter energy payments. What about tackling the hard and meaningful issues instead? Perhaps they’re too busy. Next week he and Anna Lorck are on a blanket drive. Where are they when we need them standing up for Hawke’s Bay on the critical issue of the ongoing throttling of access to the region.

Since Jetstar pulled out and Air NZ resumed their monopoly stranglehold by air, the situation has got ever worse trying to get to, from and around Hawke’s Bay. Underinvestment on SH5 from Taupo, highlighted by Malcolm Dixon, is matched by the mess made by Waka Kotahi of the expressway between our two main cities, resulting in growing traffic jams and overspill traffic on access roads like Links Road, and alternative routes via Fernhill.

The road between Havelock North and Hastings is becoming nose-totail too.

Our region’s growth is being throttled through under-investment in access and transport generally.

Where’s the leadership to take on Waka Kotahi and change government transport policy as it affects Hawke’s Bay? Is that too much to expect from local Labour MPs under a Labour Government? Simon Nash

Napier

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham asks for residents’ views on water and other points in its Long Term Plan. Perhaps the council should show much more foresight over its administration of water than previously.

Pauline Doyle of Guardians of the Aquifer contends that the many water consents to water bottlers and other entities by the council has caused immeasurable damage. Not just loss of water but all that plastic in the environment. The HBRC says this is a minimal amount of the underground water — we think it could add up to hundreds of thousands of cubic metres wasted.

Further, the HBRC’s 19.8 per cent rates increase leaves us wondering where it thinks all the money is coming from. Relief is required for this, so pare back some intended work.

Cut or stop existing consents, even to irrigate crops, until the aquifer recovers; if households have paid for “clean” water to be connected to their homes, they should be supported by some partial reimbursement; and only do very essential work on infrastructure. Shelve or defer the Ahuriri Park plan which assists the health of the estuary. Instead, close down or impose huge fines on companies which continually pollute the stream leading to the estuary. Perhaps spending more on all the tracks and trails should halt too while money is spent on more important projects.

HBRC and Napier City Council should ensure we have safe, sustainable water and important infrastructure is attended to.

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