Having a meeting no cause for politicking
I was dismayed to read that the valid concerns of Surrey St residents about wastewater flooding (4.12.25) has become a political football among Dunedin city councillors.
Many South Dunedin residents feel neglected and ignored by their elected representatives. I understand that fixing South Dunedin’s flooding issues is not a simple solution and that our DCC staff have been working hard to find a solution, but there needs to be better communication between local government and the public. More action and less talk please.
Councillors need to put aside their personal grudges and egos, and remember that they are elected to represent their constituents.
Cr Andrew Simms was just doing his job in providing a forum for Surrey St residents to air their concerns and grievances about wastewater flooding.
It is good that Crs Lee Vandervis and Jules Radich were able to attend, with the latter providing feedback to Mayor Sophie Barker.
I may not agree with their policies and personality quirks but I am grateful they took the time out of their busy schedules to meet their constituents.
Crs Marie Laufiso, Steve Walker and Christine Garey seem to have forgotten that they are elected representatives whose job is to listen to the concerns of constituents.
They seem more interested in defending the DCC bureaucracy and advocating for foreign causes than meeting their constituents.
No wonder public trust in local government has declined.
Andrew Lim
Shiel Hill
Aerial photography
Occasionally aerial photos are published of mining sites which clearly show the destruction and mess which open cast mining create.
How gold mining near Tarras will be any different is impossible to imagine. A very poor legacy to leave future generations.
I believe there are far better non-destructive ways to utilise our land and still generate income.
Nev Steedman
Port Chalmers
Would love to be wrong, but tough times ahead
And so it begins, the rivalry between the Crusaders and Highlander is not the end of it all.
Not only was the new Christchurch stadium heavily subsidised by the government but a new fund available from this government has secured two headline acts at the first concert when it opens next year.
I fully acknowledge the tragedies of the earthquakes Christchurch had but cannot help but feel very slightly aggrieved. We went it alone for our stadium and will be paying for it ad infinitum. As regards headline acts, what are the chances of us even picking up the others who don’t play in Christchurch? Austere times ahead for the stadium, it seems.
Graham Bulman
Roslyn
Rest for the soul
I really appreciated Stu Crossan’s article (Faith and Reason ODT 28.11.25). As we approach Christmas and stress levels increase it is a very appropriate to remember that the ‘‘Prince of Peace’’ is waiting to provide rest for our soul.
Alan Paterson
North East Valley
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