The Star: June 15, 2023

BACK TO THE FUTURE: A reader has proposed reinstating passenger rail
to Lyttelton for cruise ship passengers, to ease overcrowding on the
No. 28 bus.
Why not put on
a train for cruise
ship passengers?
I CAN’T understand all the commotion
about cruise ship passengers needing
buses (The Star, June 8). Why not use the
infrastructure that is there?
The rail is still used occasionally
for other purposes – why not put on a
passenger train? A few carriages would
cater effectively for transport to and from
the city, without all the worry of causing
inconvenience for residents or trying to
find extra bus drivers.
In fact, this would be a convenient
service on a regular basis and would cut
down the need to restrict cars when there
are events happening in Lyttelton.
- Cherrie McGlashan
Sydenham
Park Tce cycleway
I used to ride the shared path past the
museum every day and now use it on
weekends.
Most people move to one side when I
ring my bell; most people are reasonable.
There have been many times that people
won’t keep left, dogs are not under control,
children dart in front of me.
I have been verbally abused, forced to
go on the grass, hit by oncomers as they
refused to move to their side, and recently
(through Hagley Park when the T-Ball
games were held on Saturday mornings)
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been strangled by a parent when I stopped
to hear what he said to me.
About 50 people watched – and did
nothing as I was crying out – when this
person had his hands around my throat
squeezing.
I now use the new cycle lane, and it
takes the stress out of that particular area.
- Hamish Craig, Latimer Square
Greens tax policy
So now the Greens want to tax us twice.
Once when we earn the money and again
if you buy some assets.
The cost of valuing everyone’s assets
would well exceed what would be
collected. Assets include property,
furniture, cars, paintings, antiques,
vintage cars, boats, caravans, bank cash,
private company shares, public company
shares, business investments, private
loans, gold and many more.
I could see a lot of money going out
of the country. Increasing the tax rate
on income over $180,000 to 45 per cent
is totally misleading. Add in GST,
fuel and road tax and other indirect
taxes the real rate is about 60 per
cent. Why bother to work? A 60 per
cent tax rate destroyed socialist
Sweden.
- Alan Roberts, West Melton
I AM FEELING deflated and
disappointed by the lack of Government
foresight and investment in flood
protection for our region.
As the regional council in New Zealand’s
largest region, it feels like we are
being neglected when it comes to futureproofing
Canterbury. I know others feel
the same.
That’s not to say support isn’t needed
for areas badly impacted by Cyclone
Gabrielle – we received considerable support
during the earthquake recovery, so
we know the response up north is critical
– however, to not invest in protection of
other at-risk areas in Waitaha is shortsighted.
Flooding is the number one natural
disaster in New Zealand and, with the
impacts of climate change becoming
more significant and frequent, we are at
risk here in Canterbury.
Along with other regional councils,
Environment Canterbury made a joint
submission to the Government asking for
co-investment in a major flood protection
programme. Our proposal was for
central and local governments to coinvest
$257 million over the next three
years, to fund 92 urgent flood protection
projects across Aotearoa.
OPINION 17
Surprise over Government
decision not to fund flood
prevention plan
Environment
Canterbury Chair
Peter Scott
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Thursday June 15 2023 The Star
We have been asking central
Government to co-invest with us in
flood prevention measures and river
management since 1989, however it
has been ratepayers across the country
footing the bill.
The recent devastation of Cyclone
Gabrielle could happen anywhere in the
South Island, and we shouldn’t wait for
that to happen before taking action. Prevention
is still better than a cure.
We thought we had a strong case for
funding in the 2023 Budget, especially
given what’s at risk if there is significant
flooding along our 78,000 kilometres
of river systems. That includes national
assets such as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport
Agency roads, KiwiRail bridges that run
near rivers, power and internet infrastructure
– which would all be impacted,
and disrupt our supply chains in the
event of another major flood event.
And that doesn’t factor in our ongoing
ability to live in some areas, or people’s
ability to get insurance or how events
might impact on premiums – a sad
reality that some families in the badly
affected areas in the North Island are
grappling with.
I am hoping this decision by the
Government isn’t final. I will be working
over the coming days and weeks with my
regional colleagues around the country
to make sure our concerns are heard
in Wellington.
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