Letters: Who knows best on names?

A reader wants to know if the FNDC will be held accountable after an Opua street was renamed without proper consultation.

On May 11 a resolution was adopted by the FNDC, re-naming Richardson Street West, Opua, to Lemon's Bay Lane.

After learning that the community board had endorsed the resolution, I phoned to register an objection, pointing out that Opua streets are a memorial to Arctic explorers, and no one has the right to change that. I queried why there was no consultation process.

(Pointless question - the Bay of Islands/Whangaroa Community Board doesn't consult).

I was tersely informed that it was solely the responsibility of FNDC staff plus residents who lived on the street. The matter did not warrant public input. End of.

I attended the July C.B meeting on July 3, and took with me a map of Opua to prove incontrovertibly that all streets are named after an Arctic explorer, plus an article on Opua street names published in 'The Northlander' magazine 1974, and in the Opua School 125th jubilee book, 2011.

A report from addressing improvement officer and general manager, corporate services, was tabled.

Discussions and options: "that property owners are entitled to name the road as they wish as long as it meets Council's guidelines ... "

In addition ... "views or preferences of persons likely to have an interest in the matter" ... That was ignored - the only persons consulted were two property owners. As it was my uncle, Colonel Closey and I who researched the similarity of place names in the Canadian Arctic and Opua streets, I consider that I qualified as an interested person.

P 265 of the agenda gave details for compliance schedule, Local Government Act 2002 S77, listing the decision-making process. These procedures were not adhered to.

The report justified the fallacious decision not to follow tradition by quoting an erroneous assumption three times. It recommended the community board take no further action.

The author further attempts to vindicate their decision stating, "The agreed process for renaming a Council- maintained public road was followed". Good grief! Is there a comprehension problem? Policy #2125 clearly states "names to reflect historical, geographical or cultural significance associated with the area".

After my phone call to council pointing out that Opua streets were named after Arctic Explorers when the town was surveyed in 1883, someone should have studied the rules.

The report concluded ... "there will be financial implications if it becomes necessary to rescind the resolution and ask the affected property owners to submit another street name".

Here's a question. Are FNDC staff accountable?

If they stuff up, do they pay the costs involved in correcting errors, or does it come out of our rates? Just a thought.

No-one wants to know either. I sent an email listing my above concerns to the CEO, Mayor, deputy Mayor, chairman, community board and addressing improvement (or is that corporate services?) So far no acknowledgments.

Not the end of!

MYRA LARCOMBE
Opua