No call to demolish our buildings so hurriedly

THE construction and built environment industries contribute significant amounts to climate change and waste.

As such, we should be looking very carefully before knocking down buildings and dumping the debris in landfill, rather than exploring how a building might be repurposed and reused.

Suggesting a building is in a ‘‘poor state’’(ODT, 15.4.21) and therefore can’t be saved is usually a quite diaphanous cover for making more money (at least initially).

Historically, Dunedin has been plagued by some very poor development. Let’s not do any more, especially when the stock of heritage buildings, the very things which attract visitors to the city, is diminishing.

In this case, I suspect it wasn’t a lack of a sound structure that prevented repurposing; it was a lack of imagination. and the majority of arguments to the contrary fail when you look around the world at examples of repurposed buildings. Toby Scott

Dunedin

Local politics

THERE must be local body elections approaching with Russell Garbutt feeling the need to comment on topical issues of late, from Aurora’s problems, to debt reporting by the Dunedin City Council, to broken promises of politicians.

The same Russell Garbutt (Vincent Community Board member) who remained silent while allowing the Central Otago District Council and Vincent Community Board to disregard the Clyde Recreation Reserve Management Plan 2018 — Objective (1) ‘‘To preserve in perpetuity, Clyde Reserves as a recreational area for the enjoyment of the general public, and in consideration of views of future generations’’.

Is this not a broken promise from local politicians?

Bring on the next local body elections, I say. An opportunity to elect young people with vision and integrity to represent us at a local level.

Jim Page

Clyde

[Russell Garbutt replies:

‘‘Mr Page is referring to an unused corner of a reserve that was previously leased to the Dunstan Golf Club which had been allowed to become nothing other than an eyesore. I, as a VCB member, voted with the unanimous decision to recommend that this small area of land have its designation changed to Local Purpose (Pumping Station) Reserve. This allows for a reticulated sewerage system including an underground pumping station which benefits the whole Clyde community. Far from being silent, I have supported this designation change since it was first bought to the VCB.

‘‘While Mr Page may be happy to allow Aurora to act the way that it has over a decade or so, for inaccurate reporting by local authorities, or for national politicians to be untruthful, I’m not. Local body elections are due in 2022 and I look forward to seeing Mr Page’s name on the ballot papers.’’]

Anzac Day

ATTENDING an Anzac Day ceremony should be compulsory, I feel.

If you look at all the surnames on many war memorials, we are all connected in some way.

Anzac services are soulful, honourable and respectful, and that’s why all should attend and reflect.

Singing the national anthem, written originally by poet Thomas Bracken, we all need to realise the sacrifice that our ancestors made and how we can make our country a better one.

After no public services on Anzac Day last year, we need to totally stand proud with love, and have our heartfelt tributes to lay at cenotaphs and cemeteries.

God bless our war heroes.

Wendy Joy Baker

Nightcaps ....................................

BIBLE READING: In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3.6.