hawkesbaycouncilwatch

The economic situation in the world has not hit us yet. We are not immune from what is happening and the next couple of years is not the time to embark on big projects.
One thing that may hit us in a big way will be unemployment.This of course will have a big impact on those with no job and a mortgage.
It is to be hoped that all councils will cut their cloth and try to help the situation.
After all we have pretty good facilities now.
Concentrating on the core activities will be the best thing for councils in the coming year. 

The Mayors of Hastings and Napier have just returned from a fifth trip to the UK to trty and attract new people to the region.
It’s a pity they didn’t offer to take someone from CHB or Wairoa to the UK after all this experience as I am sure they would like to participate in a regional search for newbys. just a thought?

The events of the last month have been extraordinary. How can one not watch the world financial situation as it changes from day to day.Scary and at the same time fascinating.
In a way the ramifications on our councils could be considerable and we already have Christchurch and wellington Councils taking stock of the situation and looking at cutting the cloth.

At home we have Hill Country Corp pulling out of Ocean Beach and Amnico pulling the plug on the Retirement Village. 

All we need now is for the council in Hastings to face up to reality and pull the plug on the sports park.They would save ratepayers the $25,000 monthly fee for Sam Kelt for a start or would they?
The economy is taking a dive and it hasn’t sunk in yet.
What an interesting period with two elections coming up just to add to the excitement.

Napier City Council have alerted ratepayers to the total waste of money scattered amongst whom to try and tell people what to do in Hawkes Bay.This body SPARC tries to justify its existence by spending $600,000 on moving people in Hawkes Bay off there bums and into exercise.
That much money wasted on what.?
Those who need ton exercise don,t and those who will ,will do so of there own volition.
This is an area prime for some attention if there is a change in Government.It also reflects what those who support the proposed sports park want to do.Save there overpaid jobs administering nothing in a nice facility. 
Cut the cloth and get out and make a real living.  

Perhaps the best analysis of the much discussed Napier Airport runway extension was carried out by Napier councillor Bill Dalton.
It is pleasing to hear someone who can look at the facts in an impartial way and reach a decent conclusion.
The comment is similar to my own assessment some time ago. The extension is one thing but the cost of fencing,customs,biosecurity,immigration and staff for minimal flights does not stack up.The extension would only amount to half the cost if that.
Given the results of international flights from Palmerston North and Hamilton and the failure of Invercargill then it would be a silly move to try it in Hawkes Bay.
There are more important things to do.    

The Land Protection Society has lodged an appeal against the decision on the sports park.The council now has a number of issues stacking up and it does not realise what a corner it is backing itself into.

The Sports Park proposal is just an attempt to add a huge block of land to the urban spread of Hastings and as such is misleading and  disappointing for Hastings ratepayers.There has never been such a land grab ,so blatant and yet underhand.

For the Mayor to state that if the appeal still included the area where the grandstand is to go they will go ahead anyway ,is the height of arrogance.

The applicant for the retirement village in Havelock North has pulled out.
The applicant has pointed out the frustrations of dealing with a difficult council and the inconsistant approach taken by the staff.It is entirely reasonable for them  to  state that there are double standards when they can go all out to destroy 60ha of prime land and then stop others from doing the same.
The insane planning that uses new roads as boundaries, has to be challenged and the council needs to wake up to what it has under its nose.
There is an urgent need to fast forward the plan review before creating a multitude of problems.

Rumours are flying that there is to be a challenge to the Hastings Sports Park proposal.
The Land group that were submitters seem to be unhappy with the decision and it sounds as though they may take it further.
This group can’t be seen as extreme and have genuine concerns so no doubt they will put together a good case.

We watch with interest. 

Lovely Mr Mallard has made it clear that any attempt to extend the runway of the HB airport will have to be fully explained as far as viability is concerned.
He has played guessing games with the councils over this issue and will not just come out and say the Government intends to give it away as a crown asset for settlement of Waitangi claims.
All those who wish to get on with the job should be wary of the situation the airport may be placed in in the future.
It is not a nice situation and one cannot see anything getting ‘off the ground.’