Comments on: Port of Napier – A Working Model

By: allan baldock

allan baldock — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:39:22 +0000

It would be greater cause for celebration if other bodies acted responsibly and did not get themselves into high debt.
If your farming neighbour made a profit then you go ask him for a share.
I stand by my comments

By: morton osborne

morton osborne — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:40:42 +0000

‘ to enable the environmental functions of councils to be funded/enacted.’
So why is there no real indication of the ensuing monies being used for this purpose?
Water quality? Air quality?
Hawkes Bay … 2006 A medical report has revealed the Hawke’s Bay has the sickest people in the country, with more people dying in the region from breast cancer, strokes and suicide attempts than anywhere else in New Zealand … to say nothing of the respiratory problems, child asthma … and the caustic washed cars that need repainting.

By: Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:04:26 +0000

Alan Baldock doesn’t know what he is talking about. The Region Council did not ‘inheret’ the port. The Harbour Board, with its assets, debt and functions, became, with other in-going bodies, part of the new Council. The Port then was in great shape, but was prevented from seriously entering the container trade by the ‘Ports Authority’ from operating a container crane.

The new HBRC was required under the establishing legislation to consider after public consultation the sale of the Port. This was overwhelingly rejected by that Council. The subsequent success of the PONL proves the wisdom of that decision.

Alan may be ‘annoyed’ that other councils want the RC to ‘bail them out’, which presumably is to fund the development of such public assets as the Sports Park, HB Museum, and Waipawa Town Hall, but I think it is a cause for great celebration.
Ewan McGregor, Member H B Harbour Bd. 1980-89, HBRC 1989-92; 2004-

By: Allan Baldock

Allan Baldock — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:18:40 +0000

Something people don’t know or don’t remember about the port is that the port as with others was inherited by the regional council (repeated around the country with ports) to enable the environmental functions of councils to be funded/enacted.
At that time it was more like a hospital pass as the port, when inherited, was in debt to the tune of $5m and no-one wanted it.

It is really worth noting this, as other councils had assets which some chose to sell off.
Over the years with great management the port was turned around and began to make profits and grew into the business it is today.
It is annoying now that everyone wants to get a slice of the pie.
Others who sold off assets or borrowed heavily now want the RC to bail them out.
Interesting.

By: Pat Magill

Pat Magill — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:42:16 +0000

Port of Napier– A working model. is good news, and very well compiled Tom. Thank you for your ongoing effort to communicate “good news” about our bay, when appliciable
Must be overdue for you to wind down and take a rest.?-your BayBuzz does us proud..