Letter to the Editor: Thursday February 9, 2017

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Worry not about Whatuwhiwhi

Following the article about planned developments at Carrington Resort published in today's Age (February 7), I write to tell the readers not to hold their breath as to anything happening in the near future.

The Chinese owners are like many throughout New Zealand, who buy up land and make bold promises but never proceed.

It is four years since they purchased Carrington, yet no action, only hollow promises, much like the Chinese man who bought the Carlton Bowling Club in Newmarket, which is now graffiti and long grass.

The same person made a public announcement in July 2015 that a $70 million development would start by Christmas that year. To date nothing but silence.

Another is the site in Victoria Street, Auckland. This site has changed through many Asian hands in the last 20 years, with many high-rise development proposals. Again nothing has come to fruition.

Carrington will be the same, the Chinese accumulate, don't liquidate or develop.

They lack the skills to negotiate with people in Western communities.

Sad as it may be, nothing will happen on the peninsula for a long time, if at all.

MURRAY SMITH
Cooper's Beach