Calling on Queenstown council to watch spending does not spiral

I HAVE managed at last to get my hands on the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s proposed annual plan document which has been approved and released by the council for public consultation.

In light of the present situation with respect to the Covid19 pandemic sweeping the globe, and starting to affect New Zealand and particularly the Queenstown Lakes district, I consider that the annual plan must be reviewed before any submissions are received with the view of reducing the everincreasing cost to ratepayers.

We are in unprecedented times. The council is in a position to ease the financial burden not only on the business community but on all its residents.

A perusal of the budget document indicates a large increase in wages, which is very concerning. It allows for further increase in employment numbers to cater for growth and services.

Much of the unnecessary capital works planned for the coming year could be postponed (for example, all works on the Wanaka lakefront and town centre plan), although there is no mention of those works in the annual plan for 202021.

I hope the leaders of the council act quickly in this matter.

Being a longtime resident of the district, I have real concern for the wellbeing and future of businesses and residents.

Neville Harris

Wanaka

[Abridged]

National politics

THE National Party candidate for the Dunedin South electorate asserts Simon Bridges understands what truly matters to New Zealanders.

I disagree. He may understand what matters to those living in a bubble of privilege but beyond that I have no confidence in his understanding of anything of importance.

I have been unimpressed with the National Party’s approach to the Covid19 virus.

The modus operandi of the National Party is beneficiary bashing and favouring the wealthy. The previous National government was a complete failure with regard to the developing housing crisis. The performance of their last minister of health was, in my opinion, very poor.

Bridges’ arbitrary decision to have a ‘‘bonfire on regulations’’ is not intelligent, it is reckless. Regulations exist for good reasons. It is right to review them regularly to see if they are fit for purpose but to state you are going to get rid of many for the heck of it is a stupid electioneering stunt.

Inadequate regulation, at worst, has fatal consequences.

I hope that all political parties do not stoop to the strategies of the White House’s malignant narcissist in this year’s election campaign.

Lou Scott

Kenmure .....................................

BIBLE READING: I know that my Redeemer lives. — Job 19:25.