Viewpoint

Colin Smith, Rodney Local Board colin.smith@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Prevention is better than the cure

RSA gun misfire

The gun pictured on page 29 of your wonderful Mahurangi Matters newspaper dated January 30 is not a Bofors gun. It is, in fact, an Oerlikon gun of 20mm calibre, operated by one man, made in Switzerland. The Bofors gun is 40mm on a three-man mounting, made in Sweden. Both guns date from the 1930s and were used by both sides in World War II. Both guns were fitted to Royal NZ Navy vessels from the 1930s through to the 1990s. Once they were removed from service, they were offered to RSAs for permanent display. They were indeed anti-aircraft weapons but were also used for close-range surface action.

Denis Henderson, ex-Navy weapon engineer

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Wellsford people for the effort that they have undertaken to help each other and tourists that were stranded in the town recently. The roads were blocked north and south of Wellsford, which left the community stranded. The can-do attitude of this community is amazing. Labour MP Marja Lubeck and her personal assistant Tania Hamilton have stepped up and pushed for government funding to help those in need.

The Rodney district has been exposed to various weather events in our history, the recent flooding in Kumeu, the storms in 2007 and Cyclone Bola in 1988. I remember attending school over 60 years ago and school children living in the Whangaripo Valley were sent home regularly because the Hoteo River was flooding.

The variable that has changed over the past 60 years is the introduction of more housing and infrastructure in Rodney. With great wisdom and forethought, the 1908 Drainage Act was introduced to mitigate risk to properties. The Act was introduced to ensure that drainage pathways were kept clear of all obstruction so that flooding

Heritage celebration gathers steam

would not become a nuisance.

Over time, local councils in their wisdom, have ordered riparian planting in these channels and allowed the stormwater outlets to be blocked with no maintenance. The resulting effect is a massive blockage of silt and vegetation which acts like a plug. The land is unable to clear itself of excess water. The proliferation of introduced mangroves in the Kaipara Harbour is an example of a giant silt trap, blocking the path of overland water. Mangawhai cleaned out the mangroves in their harbour and now the ecosystem is regenerating. The rules and regulations imposed by Council pursuant to the Resource Management Act, mean landowners cannot clear their own drains without fear of prosecution and large fines. On a side note, as I sit here on generator power typing this article, I’m aware that power company managers have become frustrated at rules and restrictions preventing them from clearing vegetation around powerlines. Hopefully, common sense will prevail. As I have previously reiterated, Council needs to focus and improve on its core responsibilities to the ratepayer – water, stormwater, roading and drainage.

A string of celebrations is coming together to mark Warkworth’s 170th anniversary. The celebration is being coordinated by Heritage Mahurangi, which held a public meeting at the Bridgehouse on February 8. Representatives from a diverse range of groups attended including the Cement Works Trust, Warkworth Theatre Group and Forest & Bird, which will all mark milestones this year. Coordinator Dave Parker says there are about 30 or 40 groups and individuals interested in being involved, and the list is growing. The plan is to produce a calendar for the year, to umbrella all the anniversary celebrations, from photo exhibitions to walks and talks. The festival will culminate with a week-long event in November, which is likely to include a river pageant, a military re-enactment of the US marine presence in Warkworth during World War II and a concert. The anniversary will mark the founding of Warkworth by European settlers 170 years ago. Info: Dave Parker on 0274 849 935.