My Account
Me too
I was both dismayed and interested to read your article about the dog attack on sheep in McKinney Road recently (MM September 19). I experienced similar devastation in early July this year when I discovered all six of my sheep had died in this horrific way on my property on Moir Hill Rd. Although I had not been home at the time of the attack, and therefore had not seen the dog or dogs involved, I did report it to the Animal Control Officer at Auckland Council. So I was surprised to read that the animal management manager at Council was unaware of similar attacks in recent months. I am reluctant to restock my property knowing there is an animal or animals that may still be roaming free and therefore capable of attacking again.
Koa Thompson, Moir Hill Road
[When quoting the Council animal management manager on the incidence of dog attacks, Mahurangi Matters should have said her remarks related to events in “recent weeks” rather than “recent months”. Prior to the reported sheep attack in September, the only dog attack in the Warkworth area reported to Council was on a cat about one month earlier. Apologies – Ed]
Rural roar
Question: What’s worse than waiting 30 years for the failed Araparera targeted rate investment? (MM September 5). Answer: Having another targeted rate foisted upon us only to find out that the one thing you thought you were going to receive from the targeted rate (tar seal) was, behind closed doors, sneakily removed from it. That’s right folks, rural communities will once again receive zilch for their investment. Rodney First has stolen our entitlement by stealth – once again discriminating against and marginalising our minority communities. Don’t bother retorting back with what you are apparently going to give us instead, as we have heard it all before. Our communities are living proof of broken promises. By all means, sound off about what you think we are going to get but the only thing rural people deal with these days is tar on the ground. All I can say is roll on next election and hear our rural communities roar.
Sarah Cox, Wellsford
Two ridiculous
I am somewhat bemused by the comments made by both Allison Roe and Bevan Woodward as reported in your columns regarding the proposed Matakana link road (MM September 19). I do not understand their logic in suggesting that because Auckland Transport wants to delay a four lane link road and construct a two lane one instead, that the cost savings of $27 million should be put into walkways and cycleways. This to me is nothing less than ridiculous. Because they are both so enthusiastic on cycleways and walkways in the area, I think they have lost sight of the urgency to provide a long term solution to our traffic problems. Imagine the volume of traffic predicted to utilise the link road on a daily basis, let alone on weekends. To think that only two lanes will suffice is nothing less than short-sighted. With the predicted growth of commercial, retail and recreational facilities in Warkworth, I don’t think that locals will want to go shopping on cycles. I agree with One Warkworth Business Association chair Chris Murphy, in supporting the concept of four lanes. It makes far more sense long term, otherwise 20 years down the track, we will see total congestion. May common sense prevail.
Dave Parker, Warkworth
Give GST back
Some months ago, the Rodney Local Board agreed to impose a $150 a year targeted rate to help with transport issues in the Rodney area. On behalf of Rodney ratepayers, I am asking for the GST portion of that rate to be returned to our local area to expedite the tar sealing of the many kilometres of unsealed roads. Currently, of the $150, $22.50 goes to the Government as GST and disappears into the Wellington coffers. If this rate had not been imposed, Wellington would not have had access to this money. Over the 10 years that the rate is collected, 20kms of our roads could be sealed using the GST money. This would bring joy to some of our rural ratepayers. This is really Rodney’s money, and I am asking that it be returned to our area for our benefit and not the benefit of the whole of New Zealand.
Leo Hume, Algies Bay
