Last month I wrote about roading and said "it’s not about cycleways. It’s about the AT bureaucracy.”
Same theme over and over again.
I would not be surprised if, by the time this article goes to print, perfectly healthy Monterey pines have been hewn down by fervent tree fellers, in the dead of night, aided and abetted, certainly not stopped, by elected community members.
I just don’t trust the Auckland Council any longer, and I know I’m far from the only one.
The loss of trust in the Super City started long ago, especially with scepticism about Auckland Transport. As I’ve continued to bang on about, they are, in my opinion, a dangerous, autonomous, secret society – council-controlled organisation my bum!
Now bureaucrats in other council departments, many earning in excess of $200,000 a year, are flat out making other decisions to citizens’ detriment.
They are ruining our city. No wonder a fragile personality like John Tamihere is being touted for Mayor. Goff has been a dismal failure.
It is high time we brought democracy back to the Auckland Council. The very first thing that should be done, requiring no legislation, is to appoint councillors to the Auckland Transport Board. Goff took them off.
If elected council and board members just won’t take control and govern, we are on the edge of authoritarianism and can say goodbye to democracy.
But back to the trees. Some late consultation is taking place with local residents. Some trees may still have to go. If they are dead, dying or are a threat to local residents of course they must be cut down, but the commissioners hearing the Council’s Resource Consent application have not yet approved the Resource Consent, and have called for answers to a number of critical questions, some of which are identical to questions I asked in my original submission. I was just out of hospital after a five-hour heart operation so could not attend the hearing.
Consultation has still been slow and haphazard. One of my main complaints about the proposed demolition is the applicant’s statement that up to 70% of the native under storey could be destroyed. That is extreme vandalism. The massive road proposed would destroy far too much of the forest. The land stands to be badly eroded and tree stumps left lying around would hamper native replanting.
In the meantime, council suddenly decided 13 trees were an imminent threat to residents or passersby, and must come down urgently under emergency regulations.
This is what has finally riled me enough to stand in front of any bulldozers attempting to cut down trees in Western Springs Park.
What a disgraceful response when the commissioners’ decision, following extra information, was only weeks away. How could it be possible that 13 trees were suddenly such a threat. Talk about a bureaucratic kick in the teeth for due process.
An inner city sanctuary is a realistic proposition. Imagine the dawn chorus returning to a beautiful central city location, but it seems council’s only aim is to cut down all the trees as soon as possible, and to hell with locals or due process.
This is very bad council behaviour which I will not condone. Democracy is the loser. (JOHN ELLIOTT)