Peter Carr
There is a phenomenon arising, phoenix-like, near the Cambridge Golf Club. Actually, not really arising, but sinking – as in becoming a huge hole.
This in the shape of a projected quarry to add output towards the already eight million tonnes of bulk dry material that is dug out of Waikato ground and sent ‘somewhere’. Mainly northwards to the Auckland area.
This is very good commercially, possibly degrading in environmental terms and has attached to it a huge road transport issue of both full – and empty – returning trucks. This is a transport issue that will materially affect the well-being of Cambridge which will markedly deteriorate the enjoyment of the town unless the quarry operators are successful in ameliorating the routing of heavy trucking and minimising the carbon-emitting results.
There is much water to flow under the bridge on this issue but for those who enjoy the peaceful town centre be aware that you need to talk with your local Waipā District Council contact. I will return onto this theme at a later date when I have studied the resource consent application, but this could provide the much-required additional access to the Waikato Expressway at the south end of the town. You have been warned – you have a chance to make sensible and worthwhile input to the discussion.
So, on matters council, there are other issues that should give you an opportunity to raise your voices on one side or the other on possible forthcoming change. Firstly, just how many gambling-addictive pokie machines do you feel is necessary, warranted, suitable, sensible? To what extent are they addictive to a stratum of society that is financially strapped? As many are in liquor retailing establishments do they add to the equally addictive intake of alcohol further exacerbating a cost to society both materially and in health terms? Not forgetting family feuds, partner bashing and child abuse.
On the other hand, the heavy dependency on contributions to sports and social activities resulting from the electronic flashing and coin-erupting machines is huge. Ask the good people who run organisations like the Grassroots Trust. Not only in their excellent work with sports but, inter alia, with financial support of surf lifesaving and rescue helicopters. If the number of gambling machines is reduced in an elective district whose financial lifeline does the trust turn off first?
It is the same with the discussion regarding the number of retail liquor outlets. Is close affinity to a school premises really a problem? Is closeness to another similar outlet likewise a problem? Do we have a noted increase in liquor consumption, mainly at home, due to the rising number of outlets? If we cannot deal as a group with the looney presence of the materially growing number of recently arrived vaping shops, what chance do we have as a populace to direct and guide our local council to lower the lid on gambling opportunities and liquor addiction?
There are those who will push the ‘free market’ barrow and state that a retailer can put up his premises anywhere and drive a (currently) legitimate business. They have also a right to be heard. But the proliferation of health and welfare debilitating outlets and opportunities must, as some stage, detract from a nanny state mentality and take on a deliberate course of forging head in a balanced and well-behaved society.
