R Paterson in his letter (The Weekend Sun, November 20) highlights that the issues with Matapihi Maori, a paper road, and some avocado trees, that has halted the Southern Sewerage Pipeline, are still unresolved.

Tauranga Council CEO Garry Poole was asked by media (July 4, 2015) to respond to the reasons for why there was a dispute with a Matapihi Trust over the possible felling of avocado trees on the route of the Southern Pipeline. He said that council was working with the community. No other information.

Mr Poole needs to answer some questions.

1. Does the council have a Resource Consent or not?

2. Why wasn't this sorted out before work was started?

3. How much is it costing ratepayers to have HEB Construction sitting around
doing nothing for months?

4. Has the paper road been surveyed, it not why not?

5. If the trees are on the Trust's land then they are entitled to compensation, which can be set by an horticultural valuer.

6. If the trees are not on the Trust's land what is the problem?

7. What's wrong with the pipeline going down the centre
of road as suggested by the Trust?

8. Why does it take months to sort it out?
Of course Mr Poole needs to talk to the Matapihi community but he also needs to talk to Tauranga ratepayers who are footing the bill.

R Prince, Tauranga