Not best option
In releasing the 2014 MWH alternative wastewater treatment plant proposal, the mayor states that Cardno (Mike McCoy) and CH2MBeca (Humphrey Archer), after reviewing the proposal, said it still would not work.
After it became known that I had a copy of the MWH proposal, I was asked to comment on the Beca review. It raised some questions, mostly about aeration which Archer wrongly calculates, and these were never asked of MWH.
His conclusion is: "On the basis of the information presented by MWH to date, their alternative design may require modification as outlined above."
This is clearly not saying "it would not work".
And why would McCoy say the MWH proposal would not work when it was essentially what he had proposed in November 2011?
There is sufficient information about cheaper options to suggest that a new council should ask the question the current council asked in October 2015 - a question that was never answered - that is: Is the Cardno scheme the best option for Whanganui?
In the meantime, to carry out construction on the Cardno plant, which may mean more costs are incurred to return to a pond-based system, doesn't make sense.
If council had had their question answered in 2015, there would not now be a potential time issue.
Incidentally, when talking about the $27 million of wasted money, it seems to have been overlooked that at least $10 million of today's dollars was spent on the under-river pipeline and diversion valve chamber, and pipelines to and from the plant - all needed for any new plant.
COLIN HOVEY
Whanganui
Human rights
I comment on the article (Chronicle, September 1) headed "Psychiatric care met clinical standards". A number of issues surround that finding of the Wellington High Court regarding seclusion and restraint of a group of intellectually handicapped men (two autistic) held in psychiatric care.
The action brought by the men against defendants the Attorney-General, the District Inspector, the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Waitemata DHB and Capital Coast DHB failed.
I know from personal experience the powerlessness and helplessness these men might have felt when legally (or illegally) binding processes were enacted prior to their court action. Truly frightening and dehumanising experiences may have been their experience.
I do not condone the reported violence attributed to these men, but it may well be the case their experience within that psychiatric institution was one of being totally at the mercy of others and not knowing if those on the "outside" were aware of, or gave a damn regarding what might eventuate "inside".
I would like to make the point that "mental sickness", if you choose to use such terminology, should not entail any notion that "sick" individuals can't make good choices for themselves, even in times of crisis. Rights should be respected at all times.
I feel strongly that accountability needs to be across the board in terms of human rights. In my view there needs to be an independent hands-on presence (person) at all times within such institutions to ensure this is the case.
"Mental sickness" needs to be replaced with terminology reflective of the reality of people having life issues, which everyone has. And why not replace the medical model and psychiatric institutions with life issue centres? It would take away stigma, which is only reinforced by the status quo, more people would come forward who need help and those that do would feel no shame.
People with life issues are no different to anyone else. Treat all accordingly and with the only justifiable stance: equity.
PAUL BABER
Whanganui
TB and 1080
I must thank Mr Matthews, the spokesman for Federated Farmers, for his reply to my letter titled "TB and 1080".
Despite his attempt to dismiss any association with the 1080 gravy train, he fails to answer the question why they have failed to eradicate the disease when countries such as Australia, Canada and another 17 other countries have successfully eliminated TB.
Many more countries, such as the USA, are close to success.
If in fact you have not intentionally created an industry from the disease, this must bring into the question of farming practices in this country.
As for my source of information; I suggest you could try the internet or you may well wish to purchase the well-written book, The Third Wave - Poisoning the Land by W.F. Benfield, available from Tross Publishing, Wellington, which includes the chapter about scientists that have been dismissed from their posts when their research revealed the extent of damage being done to the environment due to the prolonged use of 1080.
K WALSH
Whanganui
Drastic action
Considering the amount of contradictory information going around about the wastewater treatment plant issue, and the declining level of trust the ratepayers have in our elected representatives, drastic action needs to be taken.
The decision to go ahead with the new plant needs to be put on hold while an independent body takes a proper look at the whole situation.
To avoid the swiftly polarising positions within Wanganui, the district council should ask the Government to step in and set up an inquiry into the whole matter.
Issues like why the original plant failed; whether the original plant could be repaired or upgraded to do its job at a far cheaper cost; whether the people assessing the old plant should also be designing a new plant; why there are no "acceptable" cheaper options need to be answered.
Statements like "council knows best" and "those people stirring in the newspaper letter columns should be ignored" do not help resolve the situation.
Comparing Wanganui's projected cost with that of other cities, even if accurate, is simply a foolish way of avoiding addressing the actual issues.
It is time to stop all the hot air and get something close to the truth with the help of an independent and disinterested third party.
K A BENFELL
Gonville
Moral dilemma
Plaudits to Bradie Alabaster and his supportive friend Curtis Parker (Chronicle; August 31) who built a whitebaiting hut on the Upokongaro Creek.
He has shown initiative and enterprise typical of Kiwi males from No8 wire can-do tradition but seldom witnessed today. Sadly, he is breaking the law.
To me, his cause is just, yet I observe two moral dilemmas here.
Firstly, from the photos published, he appears to have a loving relationship with his daughter, creating a father-daughter bond enriched with outdoor learning.
On the other hand, by constructing a temporary shelter he is breaking all local, if not national, legislation and has ignored council consents, RMA requirements and other bureaucratic obstacles.
The answer is simple: Treat the whitebaiting season as one does the duck-shooting season, where the construction of temporary shelters is allowed. Apply for a licence and the issue is settled.
I applaud and support Mr Alabaster for taking my first moral choice.
PAUL EVANS
Parkdale
He lost an arm and a leg in a crash that killed three friends.