Vertical grouping change

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 528, 22 March 1994, Page 4

Vertical grouping change

• 'I cannot think of any repartee, I simply wag my great, long, furry ears'. E C Bently (18751956). The diatribe featuring in the Bulletin with regard to Jubilee Park/Christie Pdrk ( letters, 15 March 1994) leaves one in this state. Has one of the signatories, prior to placing petitions, taken an effort to clarify their accusations with those mentioned, most notably the Waimarino Health Watch Committee? The committee is a lobbyist on local health issues. 'Health' throws a wide net and for us includes playground equipment safety with reference to the New Zealand Playground Safety Standard NZS 5828: 1986. The council has a legal duty to ensure children are not harmed by any actual or potential source, by ensuring the equipment present complies with the standard or is removed. This clearly does not mean down-grading. Plunket and more recently the Health Watch Committee has lobbied the council to fulfil their safety obligations. At present the council is remov-

ing non-compliant equipment and re-painting and up-grading what remains. Playground equipment at Christie Park is a separate issue and has a separate focus and funding base. Plunket and the WHWC have their own funds for this project, together with possible reserves contributions - funds which were ear-marked for exactly this purpose. This could hardly be construed as a waste of ratepayers' money. Let me take issue with some statements made by the Clyde Street proprietors. Inhabitants of the Waimarino are over-shadowed by 'spacious, natural, peaceful, restful beauty'. The Community Health Watch Committee would be only too pleased to own amenities on Goldfinch Street, however this is not the case. - 'Noise' in relation to the tank in my experience is care-givers assisting their children out of it having lacerated themselves on the rusty, jagged interior whilst reading the graffiti. The Clyde Street proprietors speak of 'segregated' mothers at a Christie Park playground. What's this 'mothers' business? Child-minding and children' s safety is everybody's business and surely a variety of facilities and siting is a positive thing. A playground there would take up a tiny proportion of the land available. Plunket and WHWC have never been in the business of parks and reserves. Health and safety are their priorities but in their capacity as interested locals would be right behind up-grading all our parks. Regarding my letter, Ruapehu Bulletin 1 November 1 993, 1 reiterate my view that Jubilee Park has potential and greater usuage could result with particular reference to the fact that it is a War Memorial Park. With the current redevelopment of the Waiouru Military Museum a slant in this direction could be appropriate. I put that in the hands of the Clyde Street proprietors, the signatories to the last week' s letter, and feel for the WHWC that nothing less than a removal of these petitions and an apology is acceptable. Justine Adams (Ms), Secretary, Waimarino Health Watch Committee. (This letter is abridged - Editor).