I see that TCC (16/9/12) is considering painting blue lines across roads around Tauranga to indicate to residents the distance from the coast tsunamis may reach, an idea used in Wellington.
On 14 April 2011 I sent the following email to the Tauranga Mayor and four councillors.
'Whilst in Wellington last week my wife and I spent a good part of our stay in and around Island Bay.
I noticed whilst driving around, blue and white lines painted across a number of roads leading away from the coast. These lines are approximately 10 centimetres wide. On enquiring I was told that the lines indicate to residents the maximum distance a tsunami is predicted to travel inland.
This is an idea that could well be copied in Tauranga. It would be a good indicator to residents in low lying areas the distance from the coast that a powerful tsunami is predicted to reach. This should not be taken as a guarantee that a tsunami would not travel further but a base indicator only. I know there is a published map showing the predicted distance inland tsunamis may travel, but indicators such as these would be a permanent visible reminder and warning.
I considered this idea well worth passing on with the current turmoil and worry over tsunami warning systems in Tauranga”.
As predicted the replies I received were varied. They ranged from 'An excellent idea” to 'This is not necessary in Tauranga and anyway would be ineffective”!
Seventeen months after I put the idea forward someone from the great unwashed in or on TCC comes up with the same idea. Bloody incredible. No wonder this city is in such a mess.

Roger Bailey, Papamoa.