Connection needed
Does government intermediate school principal, Hugh Gully who claims the ‘Southern Link’ would be devastating (September 1) have national/local union (NZEI) backing?
Has he discussed it with fellow colleague principal, Barbara Bowen of Tahunanui public school; or is it a case of ‘‘Like it or lump it’’?
Gully’s government school is closed 49 per cent of the year and during 51 per cent occupancy, empty 4pm -08:30. Most teachers and Mr Gully live well away. Buses transport many pupils to Atawhai and beyond.
Whakatu Drive was planned to connect southern areas, Tasman district, to a highway to Marlborough, the North Island, and southwards. Nelson CBD was secondary. Waimea Road would still be active. When funding was ceased Whakatu stage I terminated in the suburb of Enner Glynn.
After 17 years NZTA still hasn’t lauded the success of stage I ! As one who has travelled the route over 400 times, it’s marvellous. The intersection at Queen Street is easily the busiest in Nelson/ Tasman with over 15 choices of direction. The traffic engineers have done a great job. The flood of daily traffic into Nelson helps to keep the place alive. of hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders of ever being able to achieve a home of their own.
During the past few years, hard working families have had to compete with an ever increasing number of residential property speculators, including nonresident foreign buyers, which has done absolutely nothing for the economy but create extensive social problems. Amongst many measures which could and should have been taken, capital gains tax on residential properties was imperative with the family home and perhaps one other exempt.
Out of control immigration has also had a detrimental effect. With most MPs holding residential property portfolios it is little wonder that the ‘‘snouts in the trough’’ brigade want to hold on to their ever increasing gains. There are no significant reasons why building costs should have risen the way they have. National’s support for the profiteering monopolies, duopolies and cartels involved is reprehensible. Vote for Labour and/or NZ First. neoliberal rejection by the National Party, a change in the government becomes essential.