Letters to the editor: Use of chemicals on reserves backward thinking

Two controversial agrichemicals have been approved for temporary use on some Tauranga sports fields, including Waipuna Park. Photo / NZME

I am vehemently opposed to using the dangerous chemicals oxadiazon and pendimethalin on public sports and playing fields as reported in the Bay of Plenty Times (News, August 17).

If the areas treated have to be fenced off for four months because of the danger to humans how can that possibly be a good thing?

And what about the run-off after rain, where is that going?

We are never going to have a healthy planet or population if we continue to rely on toxic chemicals for solutions to minor problems.

So what if playing fields have a few weeds, with regular mowing maintenance that should not be a problem.

I can't imagine that any child or adult would stop playing on a field because there was a weed or mud patch.

Just because the chemicals have been approved for use in New Zealand, that does not make it right. In my opinion, this is backward thinking by the council.

Chris Edginton
Katikati

Some things are beyond a financial return

The boom in the building of retirement villages in the Bay, while a totally commercial decision, is to be applauded.

However, the need for affordable housing for retirees who do not have the financial means to live in these villages is dire. There is a vast number of older people needing accommodation and very few providers willing to fill the need.

Older people who for no fault of their own are living in unsatisfactory conditions, some in fear of being evicted, or of no longer being able to afford the rent. There are many who desperately need a safe, warm place to live and few companies provide this accommodation.

Shareholders want returns, and that is understandable, but in my view, some things are beyond a financial return.

Jill Shephard
Mount Maunganui

Is this level of intrusion reasonable?

Most reasonable people would prefer that we had no deaths on our roads and would support any reasonable methods to achieve that outcome.

The important word here is reasonable.

Is it reasonable for Waka Kotahi to potentially have these new smart cameras recording our every action scattered all over the country so that Big Brother can watch over us and keep us safe?

Is it reasonable to have that level of intrusion into our lives?

Some people will say if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing to worry about.

You do not even need to know any history to know that that is foolish thinking, there are plenty of countries in our world today which prove this false.

So my message to Waka Kotahi and our Government is please can we have reasonable methods of traffic enforcement and put a stop to the more intrusive Big Brother options, tempting as they may be?

David Carman
Rotorua

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