Big Picture Dreamers

I came across this site a while back and have been impressed with their commitment, communication and that they seem to problem solve along the way.  They have grandiose views and seem to be working toward them.  They had stages planned, 1, 2..etc..but due to funding issues they reinvented the stages and now have 2A and 2B.  They don’t seem to be sitting around going woe is me (or running to ICC), these guys (and girls) are selling scrap metal and Trade Me items for their cause.  Have a good look around their website, I find them inspiring.

They had to deal with ICC for two years over power issues and then store stuff in the Scottish Hall and even set up in the back of The Lollie Shop.  Here’s an article from their site from December 2010 about their plans and good on them for getting on with the job.  In my view they deserve a lot more credit but seem to be plodding away with few knowing the great attraction they are planning (and all within the Awarua Industrial Site)

Awarua Radio ZLB

The current building which houses the museum, is situated in the proposed reserve which will form part of the Invercargill City Council’s Awarua Industrial Site development 10km south of the city and was built in 1979 as a transmitting hall.

In 2008, members of the museum society, with funding assistance from the Community Trust of Southland and the ILT Foundation completed stage one of the project to replace the roof and reclad the external walls of the building at a cost of $61,000.

Stage two of the project will complete the upgrade of the building to meet current requirements for a public facility and contain a 48 seat Victorian style auditorium including vintage projection equipment. It will also house a modern museum display area featuring various highlights of Awarua ZLB’s colourful history and the role various communication devices played in Southlander’s lives in the 20th century.

The museum project team is currently working with a team of recognised heritage professionals including Chris Curry (Te Papa National Services), Dave Asher (South Coast Productions) and graphic designer Jacqui Byars to ensure that the visitor’s experience is a quality one.

Repeal the Anti Smacking Law NOW…

…..so I can smack the Youth Council upstarts round the ears!

I don’t care if you don’t care about history but maybe every bugger that died, fought and struggled to provide you the liberties you have now, do.  Be it democracy, women’s rights, social welfare or protection from oppression, you don’t deserve it!

I realise you were referring to Anniversary day but such disregard for history shows you have no respect for the work involved in creating the community you benefit from everyday.

So you want the day off with no regard to what you are celebrating?  Well enjoy your drinks (at 18)and remember your history, and the people that fought and died before they were legally allowed to purchase alcohol!!! FFS!

Nice the see the facts in print! Well almost…

I have to commend the Southland Times reporter for a job well done and for ‘getting it’ when so many haven’t.  The article in today’s paper as part of the half page Bluff spread was accurate, in the most part.  Ravensdown and ANY other current businesses/buildings/activities that don’t comply with what could be ‘Suburban SERVICE’ (they forgot that word) zoning would NOT BE AFFECTED.  Happy that’s been clarified.

Touche Linda on this:

Board member Pania Coote suggested that Bluff, as a port town, needed the industrial businesses to bring money in.

“They actually feed people,” she said.

“How many incomes and how many pies?” Ms Bell answered.

“Would that change if they were in the industrial site near Awarua?”

No one would lose their job if they relocated, might have to drive further to work.  Not a lot of shops between Invercargill and Bluff, might have to buy your lunch on the way to work, the truck drivers would still be coming to the Island Harbour (IN Bluff).  That line of questioning does show that the member did not GET IT though.  Linda was before the Board to speak about rezoning, why was she being asked about Ravensdown relocating (the paper didn’t reflect that aspect).

The item was on the agenda (and within our community and media).  The reason things are on the agenda (Local Government Official Information Act requires it) is  so that the public can decide if they wish to speak to or attend the meeting AND so members can do ‘due diligence’ (AKA research).  Not enough of that going on obviously or else you wouldn’t have asked those questions.  BTW, there is an Island Harbour AND a large ‘Seaport’ zone for industrial businesses.  Check it out!

Meanwhile there it is in black and white,

It would not affect existing businesses in Gore St, such as the Ravensdown fertiliser warehouses.

 

I will definitely have more to say on the last few paragraphs of the article later!

Anything happening out Awarua?

This is the question Cr Buck asked Cr Sycamore at the Annual Plan meeting.

I was the only one remaining in the gallery and I must say as the meeting progressed they were getting more relaxed.  A submission had mentioned Awarua (in support of it) and Thelma, with her usual eloquence, says “anything happening out Awarua?”.  Obviously directed at Cr Sycamore, he responds “oh yeah, somethings happening” (with a smart arse grin I felt).

Thelma quickly responds “What, it’s raining is it?”  To me, there was a ‘touch’ of  animosity and Sycamore joked “Tim’s got the most expensive dairy farm in the country”…ha ha ha…

Must say, the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.  At least half the elected members of Invercargill City Council having a laugh at a $9.6 million deal done in PE.  Do they not realise the biggest issue most have with Awarua, in my opinion, is not the purchase persay but the way it was done.

Why is it that when normal people become elected officials they believe they know better?

Meanwhile, Sycamore and his joke at our expense (+ interest) never answered the question and we, the ratepayers and electors (and at least one Cr), are still in the dark.  It’s no wonder conspiracy theories abound and resentment grows.

A vital question

I too want to know the answer to this question…

If  rumours are correct that ICC are talking to a group outside of Southland about planting out Awarua in trees, what are the ramifications.  I my view, far reaching!  We have a council, in PE, spending $9.6 million (+ interest) on land they laud as an industrial estate.  While making provision for industry to expand is good planning, I do think putting it ‘in your face’ on SH1 was a bad idea.  That aside, the costs and long term goals do not seem to have been considered, the cost of servicing this development could be astronomical.  I can see another Clifton Wool Scour stench arising!  Just because there are no ‘residents’ doesn’t mean we should do as we please to the environment and the noses of people driving the road.

Our council are going through the process of spatial and district planning, if this rumour is true then what’s the use of planning, for the next 30 years, that says here is where industry can expand if you’re going to put a 15+ year crop into it.
I believe this question is vital as it will also impact on Bluff.  I understand the logic of having industry on the main trunk so the product can be shipped out of the port, albeit very unattractive for the tourism industry.

Linda Bell’s petition could fail because of ICC’s nudge, nudge, wink, wink deals and lack of foresight.  ICC won’t rezone Gore Street ‘once industrial buildings are at the end of their useful life’.  Ravensdown (Shaw Savill) building is already at the end of it’s useful life.  If they’ve got nowhere to put them, they won’t move them along.  History (and the condition of the building) has shown us that they are not willing to enforce laws as they stand.  Can’t see how that building can have Code of Compliance and most definitely not for storing hazardous chemicals (go ahead Google it! I ain’t in case the SAS knock down my front door and water board me!)

I think ICC should clarify this for me BEFORE consulting on the spatial plan.  If they don’t and it turns out to be true, god forbid, remember elections aren’t that far away and we have long memories.