Lake Hawea special housing fails criteria

LAST week in Queenstown I heard Minister Phil Twyford say the Government does not want random bits of land built on in the middle of the countryside and that it would be ‘‘crazy to build housing without public transportation’’, or words to that effect, and that we need ‘‘community and political will’’, not just political will.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult was sitting in front of me. I trust he heard what I heard.

Yes, the minister is focused on housing — the Government has awarded QLDC a $76 million interestfree loan for infrastructure. This will speed up the building of 1100 houses around Ladies Mile, 900 at Quail Rise South and 950 in Kingston.

There is also a large amount of existing development throughout other areas of the region.

That amount of development will place huge demand on the council’s resources and on the building industry. We know how the council has fared in the past when it comes to managing development, and the increased demand on the building industry will push up the cost of building, meaning affordability will go out the window.

We believe that the council is well short on evidence that this Lake Hawea Special Housing Area proposal meets the requirements of the Special Housing Area Act.

We are pleased that Minister Salesa is reported as saying (ODT, 31.8.18) that she could ‘‘only accept or reject a SHA proposal on the basis of whether it meets statutory requirements, as set out in the Special Housing Areas Act 2013’’.

We are confident this proposed

Lake Hawea SHA does not meet statutory requirements.

April Mackenzie Chairwoman, Hawea Community Association Development

subcommittee

Stop exploiting migrants

AS the most remote licensed immigration adviser, I am appalled to keep hearing about some employers treating foreign workers like disposable goods, including nonpayment of annual leave, abruptly retracting sponsorship for visa applications and using foul language to threaten them into leaving the job and New Zealand.

After discussing with exploitation researcher Dr Christina Stringer, I learnt this behaviour is prevalent in hospitality, dairy and retail, the backbone of our economy.

I remain largely pessimistic about the prospects of their life in Otago without radical changes. I personally propose introducing a special visa category and extending legal aid for victimised migrants, allowing NPOs to report alleged exploitation to INZ, and reinstating the INZ Dunedin branch so that they can visit exploitative employers more frequently under Section 277 of Immigration Act 2009.

Migrant exploitation is akin to modern day slavery. Do you want to see your children treated the same way overseas? Aki Yamasaki

Otematata

Fluoride debate

READERS could be excused for missing the article ‘‘Antifluoride campaigner invites university debate’’ (ODT, 6.9.18, p26).

Prof Paul Brunton reassures the massmedicated people of Dunedin and Mosgiel that forced fluoridation is safe.

Can Prof Brunton inform the good people of Dunedin and Mosgiel why 74 countries have stopped water fluoridation and why, since stopping this undemocratic farce, why the rate of tooth decay has not increased in those countries?

Does the professor believe the people being medicated should have an informed choice? Evan Sadle

Henley ...................................

BIBLE READING: You are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. — 1 Peter 1:9.