Keith Melville

Twice in the past week I was asked to sign a petition calling for a new Whakatāne bridge.

On both occasions I declined to give my support, mainly because I think nothing could be more unrealistic, unnecessary and expensive right now considering Whakatāne District Council’s indebtedness, its 30-year binge on ratepayer funds, which is driving some people into despair and hardship.

I don’t say that lightly. We have a new library, museum and gallery, an upgraded civic centre costing $12 million, and plans for better community and sporting facilities at Rex Morpeth Park and upgrading the War Memorial Centre. Staff numbers have ballooned significantly in five years. I am told by more than 100.

Whakatāne people need a break not a bridge.

That is not to say a second bridge across the Whakatāne River would not be welcome.

And  no, you don’t need to tell me that bridges across state highways are funded by the Government not by ratepayers.

But even if the council didn’t want a second bridge, it would still become complicit in its costs if the New Zealand Transport Agency decided we should have one.

A new bridge would possibly be built upstream of the water treatment plant on Valley Road and would have a costly impact on Whakatāne infrastructure and therefore on ratepayers.

The work would require some council roads being upgraded to become part of the state highway network.

The cost of other ancillary work, such as upgrading the connecting council roads, would fall on ratepayer shoulders. The maintenance costs of the Landing Road Bridge would more than likely become the council’s responsibility.

Other costs would include consultation with the wider community, iwi and consultant fees. An over-arching strategic plan would also be required.

Bridges are therefore costly structures and NZTA has strict criteria for their renewal.

It is senseless to pretend NZTA, with its army of engineers and experts, will amend its criteria to cater to the whims of my Grey Power colleagues, and be persuaded to casually throw a bridge in our direction.

The petition becomes even more senseless when you consider NZTA probably has a list of bridges needing replacement or repair, ranked in order of priority, especially after some of the floods and storms New Zealand has experienced in the past three or four years.

A second Whakatāne bridge will come in good time when NZTA is ready, not because my Grey Power friends say we need one now.

In the meantime, the council should be concentrating on trimming back its own costs.

Whakatāne is looking at an 11.7 percent rates rise in the next financial year. Whanganui by contrast, is looking at 2.2 percent, and will achieve that by cutting back staffing numbers by 20.