Your view: Foresters pay rates as well

Carrying a grudge

In response to the article "Rural road repair levy splits forest owners and council" (Chronicle; August 7):

Historically, within the district council, governance and operational have had the policy of "you watch my back and I will watch yours", culminating in the failure of the wastewater plant.

And so, with eyes firmly set on this new potential income, the council sets forth.

Allan Taylor and many of his fellow Federated Farmers colleagues have carried a grudge against forestry since the 1990s with so much farm land being put into forestry, most often the farmer just trying to regain lost equity.

Forestry today is part of "sustainable farming".

By Mr Taylor's own admission, forestry has been paying rates faithfully for no gain - it is 12 years since any work was done on the majority of rural roads?

Forestry land static for 25 years, faithfully paying their rates drawing no services at all.

It is now time for Wanganui District Council to look at its tangible assets.

I have no doubt that foresters have aided in the acquisition of these assets.

PETER HACKETT, Whanganui

Iwi opportunity

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has been very quick to respond to the EPA decision-making committee's granting of the Trans-Tasman Resources' application to dredge the seabed 36km off Patea.

Rather than commit her iwi's precious funds to an appeal against the decision, has she considered investing in the project instead?

An open mind and a good read of the decision documents may lead to a more reasonable approach and reap returns to her stakeholders - in particular children and children's children.

A visit to the village of Taharoa may help.

DUNCAN PRIEST, Te Awanga

Transport billions

Minister of Transport Simon Bridges revealed last week a $26 billion election transport package for Auckland.

This is an eye-watering amount, but only part of about $259 billion to be spent on Auckland transport in the next 10 years.

Of that huge sum, the government will be paying approximately $18 billion.

I wish that a little of that amount could come to Wanganui - even 01 per cent would be gratefully received.

It would help with our sewerage scheme - not to mention our rural road maintenance to cater for thousands of truckloads of logs.

But the National government seems to care little for the needs of provincial New Zealanders. And while Auckland grows fast, the regions continue to struggle.

I D FERGUSON, Whanganui