The regional council, a ratepayer body, has decided to gouge the NZTA, a taxpayer body, the sum of $70,000 for a catchment report before the Belk Rd/SH29 intersection can be made safer. The work required for the safety measures of widening SH29 at the intersection includes widening a culvert one metre. There will be no change to water flows. Any catchment report prepared now becomes obsolete as soon as further developments take place with the re-aligning of SH29, Tauriko West development and ongoing progress with the Tauriko industrial development.

Belk Rd residents have been working with NZTA and the district council for some years to upgrade this very dangerous intersection. Work was finally about to commence. And now at this late stage it is to be delayed again by the regional council's demand for a catchment report – at a cost of $70,000 and ongoing safety risks for road users. The regional council in this instance appears to be delaying important safety measures for no real gains except for those preparing the report. Progress is being hindered by unnecessary red tape. Is this a good use of resources?

Vic Brazier, Tauriko.