Martine Rolls: Just stop moaning

I went to a farewell party of a fellow writer last Friday. It was a great night and everyone had a blast.

The party was held at a nice little bar at the Mount side of Maunganui Rd and I guess there were about 100 people there, maybe more. It was a fun gathering but I wouldn't call it a particularly rowdy one.

The bar is beneath a fancy apartment building and surrounded by many other flash apartments, obviously owned by the well-to-do. It goes without saying that many of the apartments are holiday homes.

To be expected at a residential location like this, at 10pm everyone was ushered inside because of possible noise. Fair enough.

Smokers and people who wanted to get some fresh air during the night dashed around the back every now and again, and it didn't take long for neighbours to call management.

The few people who were chatting outside were rudely told that the police would be called if they didn't shut up right away.

Not much later, noise control came knocking. I'm fairly sure it was well before midnight.

It makes me wonder why these expensive apartments have designer kitchens, walk-in wardrobes and en-suites with every bedroom, but lack the comforts of double glazing and sound insulation.

I heard quite a few of the partygoers, mostly a Mount crowd and a great bunch of people indeed, say how snooty they thought many of those rich apartment owners were.

One of the most popular stories on bayofplentytimes.co.nz this week was by John Cousins, and it highlighted how Mount Maunganui downtown's first commercial building project for at least 10 years had run into protests from neighbours who said it would block their views across to Pilot Bay.

The question that pops into my mind is: if you're fortunate enough to buy a place at the Mount but you're not quite rich enough to be absolute beachfront or own the penthouse, isn't more high-rise spout to be expected?

Isn't it called development for a reason?

People who want peace and quiet and spectacular views are better off investing their money in a rural property, or should find a spot at an isolated beach or lake somewhere.

The Mount is a busy place and with hustle and bustle comes a bit of noise - and high-rise.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned how much it annoys me that society is getting increasingly intolerant. And yes, I have definitely noticed that many people in this town love to moan about just about anything and everything. It's so tiresome.

The story on the spoiled views provoked lots of comments online. Shark Survivor said: "I can't believe some people's hypocrisy. These people's apartments probably caused some residents a lot of concern but I'm sure they didn't care. Now it's their turn to be on the other side of the fence.

"The Mount is ugly, overcrowded, overpriced and overrated.

"Tauranga is badly designed, full of poor quality units and sausage developments. I find it funny that people who move into these sorts of areas are surprised when more buildings hide their views and their sun."

One of our regular commenters, who calls himself Jedmeister, said: Overpriced? This is one of the best city-based beaches in the country. Take a look at Auckland, where a postage-sized parcel of land in an average suburb with a falling-down house costs a million bucks.

"The Mount is still affordable to those who work hard. I've not much sympathy for these people. Surely they knew that their views could be built out."

Back to the story, in which the solicitor acting for the objectors said that everything about the apartments was geared to looking west towards Pilot Bay. Instead, views would be blocked and office workers would look directly into living areas.

Oh boohoo.

A new office building means new jobs. It's economic development and isn't that exactly what the Bay needs?

I'm with Jedmeister on this.

To the people who sit pretty with all their cash in their gorgeous apartments, I'd like to say what I often mention to my 6-year-old son. "Stop moaning. It's not all about you."