I have been watching with increasing trepidation the unfolding saga of the tsunamis which threaten to destroy the whole of the Mount and Papamoa.
Most of the residents will by now be extremely jittery and all will be hoping for a feasible answer. I have one.
If we move all the workers, (under 65, that is) out of the area to higher ground (eg Tauranga area), they will then be quite safe and continue paying taxes, which will please the government no end.
In order for this to happen, the govt will subsidise all the retirees so they will be able to buy all the vacated houses. This scheme will also include all the retirement homes and villages. The vacated ones on higher ground will then be used as worker accommodation. The homes vacated by pensioners on high ground will of course be taken up by workers, (who may need a small subsidy).
If and when the tsunami eventuates, all the pensioners will of course be drowned.
This will not matter too much because they have all led a full and happy life and will be pleased to know their offspring are safe and happy.
A bonus for the government with this scheme is that having disposed of pensioners, they will have saved possibly $450,000,000 per annum depending how long they were going to live which will please them no end,
I'm sure!
The only flaw in the scheme is that the workers who are in the Mount industrial area will need a quick method of escape. I'm working on this right now!
This should allay all the worries of the residents and also the council, who have been tasked with coming up with an answer.
I'm sure this will meet with approval from all involved, except perhaps the pensioners.
Cedric Sutherland, Otumoetai.