Lakes Weekly Bulletin

Audio Assault

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Editor,

As I write this, I’m focusing very hard, as my ears are getting assaulted with a new take from the abomination on Stanley Street, the local Catholic church, with their usual shennanigans from 6pm every Friday night through till late.

This is my only quiet night in, as I work hard all week and most evenings, and the new element of my aural torture, the “Karaoke” is distressing and franky, not only are the Pizzas better in Hell (me sucking up for a freebie) but so is the music. Given the draconian planning restrictions and the contact whinges about other commercial establishments in the centre of town, I find it difficult to understand that no-one else has picked up on this intrusion into my living room and is it not double-standards?

Infact, John Lennon’s “Imagine” is currently vibrating around my personal space. I’m sure he would be turning in his grave if he could hear how his song is being murdered by some tone deaf person. Please Lakes District Council, can you request that these talentless folk take their sound-system inside, as I’m well over a kilometre away, so who knows what it’s like for many others nearer the epicentre of this forsaken racket!? Such a thing is anti-social, counter-productive and surely swelling the ranks of my fellow Atheists!?

Response from the Presbyterian Church,

As the only church on Stanley Street, we have been asked to respond. For the past 8 years the Presbyterian Church on Stanley St has been providing free Pasta dinners (with home baking) for between 150 to 400 visitors and locals, each Friday for 6 weeks in winter. If the winger would like 6 free pasta dinners next year, he is welcome to come along. We only had live music on one night (20/8) as our regular musician, Mark Wilson, was not well enough to perform.

As the free Pasta Cafe is open at 6pm, ends at 8 and is closed up tight by 8:30pm, then the later music may well have been coming from another source. If anyone deserves a free pizza it is the lead volunteers from the church (or even Mark) who give up so much time each year to make this event happen. Maybe some of your readers who have enjoyed our hospitality can respond to this also and let all the volunteers know their efforts are appreciated.

If we have offended anyone by our trying to be a good neighbour, then we sincerely opologise. I guess I should also apologise in advance if any singing escapes the church this coming Friday night (10/9) as the Watoto Children’s Choir will be singing in the Church from 7 to 9pm. These inspirational Ugandan Orphans are giving a FREE Live Concert of Hope as Tear Fund ambassadors. Everyone is welcome!

Judy Williamson, Volunteer

Connectabus Clarity - Response To Website Comments

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Lakes Weekly Bulletin Readers,

We’d like to clear up any confusion… Here are the facts:

- The Otago Regional Council / NZTA subsidy covers only our 3 new routes:
Kelvin Heights, Arthurs Point & Lake Hayes Estate

- We are paid only very slightly more than the actual cost to run these services. There is no “pot of gold” for Connectabus!

- It is important to recognize connectabus has not changed it’s fare structures in five years, and we will also be absorbing the October GST increase.

- All of our other routes have to be commercially economic to run.

- Running a bus is just like running a taxi or train or a London Bus– it costs a fixed amount for each journey. If there is 1 person aboard, it is very expensive per person. If there are 30 people, it is cheap per person.

- Queenstown has only a small and spread-out population, the only reason that we can operate our unsubsidised services at all is because of the number of visitor to Queenstown which effectively “subsidise” local residents.

So to encourage local residents to commit to using our service regularly we offer a 5-consecutive-day pass – as much travel as you like for $35. We also offer all the usual child, student, and seniors concessions, and the Go Card, which has a 10% discount built in. We are implementing further incentive packages for local clients over the next two months. All our fares are subject to approval by the Otago Regional Council, as is our timetable.

We are a community-minded organisation, small and locally-owned, and we do not like pollution any more than our fellow citizens do, and most of our coaches are Euro 4, standard with computerized fuelling systems save more fuel than any additive. We are committed to offering a professional service which works for the good of the whole community and is commercially sustainable into the future.

Morgan McCammon
Marketing Manager
Connectabus

Big weekend for footy fans

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:44:00 +1200

It’s going to be a big weekend for footy fans. It all starts on Friday night with the Far South’s favourite sons attempting to defend the Ranfurly Shield against North Harbour. The mighty Southland Stags got a rude wakeup call losing to Northland last weekend and the team will surely respond with a more determined effort this week. At home in Inver-Vegas with the Log of Wood at stake is all the motivation they need.

Following the Stags game, the Warriors kick off the NRL finals against the Titans on the Gold Coast. After finishing the regular season in 5th position, a loss won’t necessarily end the Warriors Premiership hopes. But momentum is key at this time of year and a loss will create a huge mountain to climb. A win is truthfully the only acceptable result and with a fully fit team for the first time in a long time, there is no reason why the Warriors can’t brush aside the Titans.

Then on Saturday night the All Blacks play Australia in Sydney. It will be interesting to see how the All Blacks play without Dan Carter, and interesting to see if already having the silverware locked away affects their motivation. On the other hand the Aussies will have their tails up after beating South Africa last week, but must contend with the fatigue and the travel factor coming back from Africa after two bruising test matches. If they can overcome those difficulties, this game could be their best chance to break the current losing streak against the AB’s.

Don’t be surprised to see another fast Wallaby start and possibly a healthy lead at half time. But the All Black forward domination should eventually take its toll on those tired Aussie legs before game breakers like Nonu, Jane and Dagg break them open in the final quarter, and that is the truth.

Fair share of dreamers

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:43:00 +1200

It’s not a surprise to hear one of the reasons Timaru based South Canterbury Finance failed was due to bad investments in Queenstown. We have definitely had our fair share of dreamers who never had the substance to pull off their fantasies. What does surprise me however is why a company making good money investing in South Island farming would stray into bed with a flaky developer in the first place. Unfortunately, the downside to Queenstown’s name being linked with this latest failure is funding for future development and indeed business finance in general could become a whole lot harder to find.

But every cloud has a silver lining and thanks to the taxpayers of New Zealand, the Governments new deposit guarantee scheme, and the fact most of South Canterbury Finance’s investors are Mainlanders, the best part of $1.7 Billion is going to be released into the economy of the South rather than disappear into the abyss. For Queenstown and the rest of the South Island this could be just what the doctor ordered to revitalise everything from retail sales to the housing market.

It’s not every day that such a large amount of money suddenly becomes available for ‘redistribution’. Perhaps the industry with the most to get excited about is our stagnant real estate market. Despite a few ups and downs, Kiwis still have a fascination with buying property, and investing in Queenstown property is surely a wiser investment than tucking a few hundred thousand dollars under your mattress. As safe as houses the saying goes.

If there is anything to learn from the turmoil that has been and continues to be this current financial crisis, is that it’s never over until it really is over. Remember last winter when Kevin Rudd gave all Australians $1000 to kick start the Australian economy in the recession? Thousands of young Australians bought an airline ticket and a ski holiday in Queenstown, therefore kick starting our economy. It was merely a welcome little blip for us though, not the end of the recession. Let’s hope this South Canterbury Finance payout has a similarly positive impact.

Breaking and Entering

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Editor,

I would just like to put forward a few comments to those 15-16 year olds that entered a lot of houses between 2 and 5am last Tuesday night and stole from us and many others. Firstly well done to the police in recovering all of our things that were taken but to the offenders, my children are now nervous about being at home and double check doors and windows before they go to bed.

You stole my daughters camera that she got for her birthday and deleted all my photos. Cameras can be replaced but I will never again have those moments with my kids. We live in a safe place, but in one action you have made our family feel invaded. If you can remember when you where 8, how would you have felt if something like this had happened to you? A home should be somewhere you feel safe and warm. Youth Justice will protect you at this stage but I hope you realise the effect you have had on peoples lives.

I was also young and stupid but I can always say I respected people and their property. I hope your lives take a turn for the better otherwise there is only one place you are heading. Thinking before you act is always a wise idea.

Get some perspective!

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Editor,

My whinge is to do with everyone whinging about people gettin drunk and peeing in the street or pinching a steak and cheese pie from the ‘two-four’. Seriously I read the papers every week and the incidents that make the crime section are quite funny. I can’t believe that people make the paper for things like this.

Now I have lived here for over 3 years now and I’m still here because I know it is safe, amazing place and beautiful. Now everyone is saying and talking about all these issues we have with drunken tourists but what do you expect when these people are on holiday in a town that is a holiday resort! I’m from Manchester and in the UK you would read the paper and expect much worse. An example of the crime section over there - ‘on the weekend is 3 people got stabbed, taxi driver beaten, kids selling heroin at school aged 12, Asian man beated by 4 whites, oh yeah and the bank got robbed’... so please, please wake up and smell the coffee people and be proud of this beautiful town.

What doesn’t kill you

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:44:00 +1200

What a luxurious position the Warriors find themselves in. They have made the NRL finals with one week to spare. Anyone who has followed the ups and downs of this club for a while will know anything could happen from here. They could suddenly go cold and crash out of contention, or they could go all the way to the 2010 Premiership.

This coming week against the Eels they can only improve their position in the top eight, and a win will certainly improve the chances of success in the NRL finals series. The format of the NRL finals series is by far the best in the world giving home advantage to the top four, a week off for the top two ranked winners after round one, another bite of the cherry for the top two ranked losers, while the bottom two losers can hang up the boots and head off to the pub for a well deserved drink. So much better than waiting all season for the business end only for it to be over in the blink of an eye. If the Warriors can go into the finals better than 6th, the chances are they will play again in week two win or lose.

It’s only five week’s into the ITM Cup yet it seems all over for Otago. I almost threw the remote at the TV last Thursday night when poor decision-making along with stupid infringements and ultimately terrible leadership cost the team any chance of scraping themselves off the bottom of the championship ladder. It sure is a sad state of affairs that Dunedin’s fancy new stadium will almost certainly be hosting a 2nd division team next year. Although this inevitability is a tragedy in its own right, worse will come if the Otago Rugby Union implodes over it.

Despite the results, there is a lot to like about the new direction Otago are taking. They have a new coach, an improved development program and a new found appreciation of the provinces that make up the union. They are a notoriously hard side to support but as they say what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger and now is not the time to give up, and that is the truth.

Informed decision-making

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:43:00 +1200

It’s baby kissing time with all the candidates for Mayor and Council now locked and loaded. At least, I hope there will be a few babies kissed, for without political campaigning how do we, the people of the Wakatipu choose our elected representatives in October’s local body elections?

Informed decision-making always ends with a more positive result than the good old stab in the dark. Unfortunately the truth about democracy is most voters don’t know who the candidates they vote for are, let alone what they stand for. In fact, some studies have found that given ballot papers are listed in alphabetical order, those with surnames beginning with A to M have a greater chance of being elected than those with surnames N to Z. The only way to alter this is through inspired election campaigning.

Although it is often said ‘empty vessels make the most noise’, when it comes to politics it is my belief that those least heard have the most to hide. If a candidate sings from the treetops their reasons for standing, lets us know their influences and what they hope to achieve, then we have nothing to fear if they become a member of QLDC and are true to their word. For they have obviously said what enough people want to hear, and therefore represent a significant percentage of the populations view. On the other hand if we hear nothing, my suspicious nature questions their motivation. What do they have to hide? What extreme special interest group do they represent? Is self interest the biggest motivation at play?

Being elected to QLDC should never be as simple as having your name put forward and spelt correctly on a ballot paper. There are 3 candidates for 1 mayoralty job, 12 Queenstown hopefuls for 6 council spots and 2 Arrowtown candidates for just one seat at the oval table of power. It is not my job to tell you which way to vote, but it is my responsibility to ask the question. Who are these people and what do they represent?

If you have a question you would like the candidates to answer, please email me.

Last Request

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Editor,

I have lived here for 3 years now and I love it. Like many, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave the great people and vibe that make this town so wonderful. Having said that, there is one thing that bothers me...

I have some experience in booking acts back home but I can only imagine the cost of bringing international acts to this town. Back in the UK there are so many artists on your doorstep, but the cost of bringing artists all the way here must be huge. The choices I had were something I totally took for granted and what brings me to my point...

I am sick of hearing people complain about how little there is to choose from and in the same breath, the cost of tickets to gigs. Do they not realise that these ticket sales are what pays for these fantastic artists and that it’s our support and enthusiasm that makes these things happen? People completely under estimate the effort it requires to pull these things together. It’s easy to slap on a cd and play the latest chart tunes but if you’ve been here a while, chances are you’ve moved on from that. Don’t get me wrong, there is a definite market for pop tunes and dress ups which is why I can see how heading down this avenue must be so alluring, but I for one am thankful that there are those who stick to the genre they have a passion for. It’s just unfortunate that these people seem to be terribly under appreciated.

So come on punters, unless you are content with weekend after weekend of radio tunes, mediocre DJ’s and average musicians, how about you quit your whinging and dig deep. I’m sure if you put things into perspective you’ll see it’s a small price to pay.

Vanishing Vacancies

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Editor,

I see that QLDC has yet again taken away long-term parks in favour of more short-term parking, this time at the entrance to the rugby ground car park. The two new 10-minute bays that sit opposite the constantly empty disabled bays that we got last year, serve absolutely no-one except for SuperLiquor, so I can only presume that they must have some pretty handy friends in high places. The result - two more workers who can’t find a long-term bay, or 10 minutes earlier everyone needs to get to town to find a parking space in the morning. Cheers.

With the loss of heaps of parking bays on Church Street in favour of yet another Loading Zone, parking is now a bigger problem than ever before. We have more and more people coming to Queenstown every year and yet less and less places for them to park. This creates total gridlock from about 5pm when the town is full of people trying to leave work who come bumper-to-bumper with people trying desperately to find a park for the evening. This is horrible for everyone - for the frustrated drivers going round and round in circles and for the pedestrians who have to dodge through the traffic, not to mention the pollution it causes!

When was the last time QLDC created free, long-term parking spaces for workers? I know they can take them away, but do they ever create new ones? They can’t seriously expect workers living on Fernhill, or out at Arthurs Point to cycle to work every day; the bus costs about $10, and the paid parking facilities are extortionate! Get real, QLDC - we’re all earning about $15p/h, you might not like that we all drive to work, but what the hell else do you expect us to do? Maybe I should go stand in the middle of the road with my thumb out...!

P.S Any chance of anyone at QLDC moving on the campervan with the NZ flag in the window that’s been sat in the rugby ground car park for at least the last fornight?

Response from Queenstown Lakes District Council,

The changes to parking in the Queenstown CBD are the result of a major review of parking controls completed last year. We consulted with businesses and the wider community and many of the resulting changes are an attempt to better reflect the parking demands in the immediate area. In this instance, the P10 spaces in the Rec Ground Carpark are there to assist local business and the Senior Citizens Association whose building is just across the road. The P10 area means that those members of the association who are no longer able to drive can be dropped off and picked up reasonably close to the building.

Bus services in Queenstown have improved and they do offer big discounts on the cash fare for regular users. For example Connectabus offers a 5-day ticket that costs only $35 – not bad for a
whole week of travel – particularly for commuters from Arthur’s Point, Frankton, Kelvin Heights, Lake Hayes Estate, Quail Rise and Arrowtown.

We do get it that travelling by bus isn’t for everyone. But providing more free, unrestricted parking in the CBD isn’t a great option either. For example it reinforces our reliance on the single occupant car trip, would contribute to even more congestion in the CBD and also provides very little reason for people to try alternative travel options like carpooling, taking the bus, walking or cycling. Plus, free parking comes at a price - the Council is already in debt to the tune of $1.1m due to the purchase of the Boundary Street carpark in the mid 1990s and the later development of the underground carpark in Church Street.

Regards,
QLDC

Sweet smell of success

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:44:00 +1200

IIts official, I have a problem. I take great pleasure in the pain and suffering of others. More specifically the pain the All Blacks inflicted on the Springboks. Poor little Peter de Villiers crying into his bushy moustache. Poor John Smit. What a way to celebrate your 100th test cap, missing the tackle on Ma Nonu that set up the match winning try. I know its immature but ha ha ha. I guess this is how others must feel when the All Blacks lose.

Remember it was only 12 months ago the reverse situation occurred with the Boks taking our world number one ranking with a 3-nil clean sweep over the All Blacks. And this is why, when it comes down to it, if you are a passionate sports fan like yours truly , then you absolutely must take all the pleasure you can from victory because the flip side is so god darn awful. For example, I was sitting in row 56, seat number 126, of Millennium Stadium in Cardiff when the All Blacks went crashing out of the last rugby World Cup. I know what loss feels like, so rather than theorise and speculate on whether or not we have peaked too early and will face the same fate in the next World Cup, I will sniff the sweet smell of success, soak up the warm fuzzies and enjoy right here right now. And nobody should have a problem with that.

With only two weeks of the NRL regular season left, the Warriors need just one more win to secure a finals spot. After a frustrating loss to Manly last week, a top four position is now out of the question, and with the Bronco’s and Eels to come a finals spot of any description is no certainty. This weekend’s game against the Bronco’s is a must win being the last home game of the year. Unfortunately the Warriors are so inconsistent but at times brilliant they could lose this weekend and miss the finals completely or go on to win the Premiership. This makes them a bloody hard team to support but support them I must and that is the truth.

Queenstown’s party culture strikes again

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:43:00 +1200

Queenstown Police are at it again releasing statistics for the shock value rather than to give us any meaningful information about criminal offending in the Queenstown area. According to a TV3 news item aired last Sunday night, 96% of all crime in Queenstown in the first two weeks of August after 10pm was alcohol related, with that figure jumping to 100% after 2am. Queenstown’s party culture strikes again it seems. Is the motivation for releasing these statistics to damage our reputation and reduce tourist numbers, therefore reducing drunken crime? If this is the case, then the local police are at odds with the rest of Queenstown which makes a huge effort to attract tourists to the area.

However in these particular statistics, I see a very good news story. Those of us away from people drinking alcohol were 100% safe from being a victim of crime after 2am. Is it not a good thing we had no other late night crime?

Without trivialising the damage alcohol can do in the wrong hands, we can in my opinion celebrate the fact we are living in what must be the safest town in the country. We had zero crime of any description committed by a sober person after 2am in the first two weeks of August. How lucky are we when you hear of the crimes that happen regularly in other areas. Why did I even bother locking my door at night, because no sober person with his wits about him was coming to rob me. My car was safe unlocked with the keys in the ignition, and in the wee small hours of the night the elderly lady living across the street had zero chance of being beaten, raped and murdered by a methamphetamine crazed sociopath looking for drug money.

I would have thought at least one burglary would have been committed in that time by professionals too smart to risk consuming alcohol first. When I look at the crime pages in the ODT or Southland Times and see the nasty variety of offending in other areas of the Far South, it is comforting to know we have comparatively minor concerns.

Let’s cross the street

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Editor,

While I don’t get out to enjoy the wonderful night life here much (having 2 children), my partner and I ventured into town for a night out the other Saturday. We are in our late 30’s (not old) and I must say we were really disgusted with the behaviour of the ‘young people’ around town.

Highly intoxicated, loud, rude, obnoxious are some of the words I would use to describe the larrikins getting around town. Some of these larrikins were mere children – certainly underage, so it made us wonder where the parents of these children thought they were? Another thing I noticed was the number of these youths who walked around quite freely with bottles of beer and some in paper sleeves which I assume to be wine or spirits.

Now I’m not 100% sure what the deal is with drinking in public and I imagine it can be hard to enforce with events on in Earnslaw Park but seriously, the cheek of these guys blatantly cruising round with their bottles dishing out lip to others! Shame on you guys, have a little respect, some of us are trying to have a nice, well deserved night out.

Thumbs Down

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:52:00 +1200

Dear Editor,

So I have a small issue. Being a Queenstown local (and yes I was actually born here and went to school here) I appreciate this town. I appreciate how hard it is to get anywhere, how expensive food/rent/gas/petrol is and I understand the social aspect of this town - believe me, that part I understand very well.

So here’s my beef. I live in Fernhill and drive down through town and up the mountain almost every day in order to work. The reason I drive you ask, when NZSKI provides a very good staff transport option? Because, as we all know, it’s bloody expensive just breathing in this town so therefore I have two jobs which means some days I need to be off the hill pronto and in one hell of a hurry. Don’t get me wrong, I like working lots.... keeps me out of the bars and I meet rad people. My rant? Hitch-hikers.. yup that old whinge I hear you say but understand that I have been in the carless genre before, so I can appreciate what it’s like but from the other side of the story:

1. It costs. It costs a lot to drive up and down the hill. And when you add an extra body (or three) and some gear, it costs even more.

2. Damage to the vehicle. Since I started being a taxi driver, I’ve had smashed lights inside my car, numerous scratches to the interior and snow left all thru the carpet. Yummo.

3. Rude. Come on passengers, I like to talk and I also like to listen so if I’m trying to be friendly with a little small talk and I’m curious as to what brings you here, why not engage in a little conversation!

4. A simple “thank you” is quite nice.... also that chick that offered me a drink in her bar the other day to say ‘thanks’ - yeah I’ll be in for that, your a good sort and will pick you up again.

5. Don’t stand in the middle of the road... (sound familiar?!) and don’t glare at me when I don’t pick you up. 9 times out of 10 it’s because you’re either on the phone, look stupid or the kind of person that thinks everyone is their personal chauffer.

I recently had the pleasant experience of hitching down Remarks... obviously it was a day I didn’t have to do the bolt and decided against driving. The guys I stood in line with where rude, obnoxious and yelled abuse at every partially empty car that went past. NOT COOL.

Getting a free lift is a privilege not a right. Remember that saying ‘put yourself in someone else’s shoes’? Perhaps you should try it sometime. All I can say is that from now on the only hitchers I pick up will be people I know. Walk, suckers!

The Mighty Stags!

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:44:00 +1200

All hail, the great revival of domestic rugby in New Zealand. Certainly the game has taken on a whole new importance down here in the Deep South for two very different reasons. For the ITM Cup leading Southland Stags, the impact of winning, and now defending the Ranfurly Shield has transformed the attitude of the entire district.

Although the Wakatipu is in Otago, Southlander’s have always been the backbone of this area. Proof of the support the Southland team are getting can be witnessed every time they play in all Queenstown and Arrowtown’s sports bars and pubs. After just edging out Otago last week, many expected Counties to leave Invercargill with the Ranfurly Shield tucked under Tana Umaga’s arm. But never underestimate the mighty Stag’s and how much that Shield means to them. For the moment the Shield is safe as the team hits the road for a few weeks before returning home to defend the Log of Wood against North Harbour on the 10th September.

As for poor Otago supporters, things couldn’t be worse. Firmly rooted at the bottom of the points table, the boys really have to turn it around at home this weekend against Hawkes Bay. Another loss, and the axe will begin to drop on Otago’s participation in the top flight of New Zealand rugby. Second division here we come!

Manu Vatuvei. Who can stop The Beast? The answer put simply is no one when he gets to within a few metres of the line. The guy has become one of the hardest men in the NRL to put down. It is now a 95% certainty The Warriors will make the playoffs in three weeks time. With another win or two they could even make the top four and really improve their chances of Premiership success. But after watching a typical fumbling bumbling display from the Warriors for most of the match on Sunday against Newcastle, it has become quite obvious their success will come down to the impact of big Manu. The guy is of freakish proportions that would easily be a match for Jonah Lomu in his prime. If The Beast can keep striking, the Warriors can go all the way, and that is the truth.