When I took on the role of Councillor, I thought people wanted me to battle the red tape and get rid of the multitudes of rules that plague us every time we so much as sneeze. But, that is not what I discovered! Everyone wants more rules. They don’t want them for ‘me’ but people do want more rules for their neighbour. Therefore, the net result is that we all end up with … [Read More...]
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Dam Myths and Other Effects
One side of the Waimea Dam argument claim that it is an environmental benefit for our region (hence the district-wide rate increase). The other side of the argument … [Read More...]
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NZ Rivers Of Death
Dr Mike Joy spoke, by Green Party invitation, to a crowded Mapua Community Centre (standing room only). His main area of expertise is in river health – or in our … [Read More...]
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McKee Memorial Reserve Reopens
The McKee Memorial Reserve opens the gate to campers again this Friday October 19th. It has taken a mammoth effort after the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Fehi in February this year to get it back to a habitable state. Storms of this magnitude have not … [Read More...]
13 Reasons Why-The Waimea Dam
Waimea Irrigators Ltd (WIL) have announced a new funding model for their share of the dam. The institutional investor that rode in on a white horse the day after the Council voted the Waimea Dam funding and governance model down has been side-lined. … [Read More...]
Dam Decisions
Congratulations to the Waimea Irrigators who have secured a subsidized water supply for the next 100 years (assuming the dam can be built, functions as intended, and lasts for 100 years). I hope the smaller shareholders in WIL are informed as to what risks … [Read More...]
Tasman District Council Remains Economical – With The Truth
This Council is always looking for ways to save. We have found that we can stockpile the truth by only using it sparingly. For instance, in the agenda for Tuesday 28th August 2018 the council staff inform me: Funding and Finance – Waimea Community Dam … [Read More...]
Mistaken By Any Other Name
While researching dams and risk contingency I came across an article in the Journal of the American Planning Association (vol. 68, no. 3, Summer 2002, pp. 279-295) called "Underestimating Costs in Public Works Projects: Error or Lie?" It details the results of … [Read More...]
Shane Jones Challenge To Waimea Irrigators
If a person or persons were receiving a helping hand (like a subsidy) you would think they would respond with gratitude. Not so with the members of WIL. They have two responses, one is denial, and the other is to attack anyone that suggests they are receiving … [Read More...]
Scaremongering Mayor
After the announcement that the Waimea Community Dam has run millions, and millions, over budget before a digger has even put a bucket in the ground Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne has gone into over drive with the doom and gloom press releases. As quoted … [Read More...]