This week Western Bay District Council faced an issue which concerned me, so I seek public feedback. It concerns a proposal for a boat ramp at Kauri Point which was adopted by Council over 10 years ago and in my opinion pushed by a few and opposed by many.
The result from this was over 10 years of talk, tens of thousands of dollars spent, lots of local frustration, a proposal in excess of $4 million, and still not a stake in the ground. The Northern Harbour forum, led by our regional council, in a really good inclusive process, at last is making progress, with so far minimal input from WBD Council.
But hopefully that will change. Katikati and Waihi Beach Harbour users are combining through the forum to produce a united front for a wider range of clubs and groups: Dredging the Bowentown Channel, Park Road extension, and some Tuapiro development is possible and all at a fraction of the suggested $4 million for Kauri Point, but more importantly catering for a far wider group of people.
I still don't know what drives Kauri Point, with prevailing winds, strong currents, and huge reclamation needed on historically sensitive reserves. Please make your views known.
And finally may I say, after 30 years in public body politics, thank goodness for The Weekend Sun, a publication not influenced by political pressure or opinion. Hitler would hate you, but I love you for it.
Norm Mayo,
Katikati Ward Councillor.