’Converting the former Northland Regional Council building on the Whangarei waterfront to a design by Austrian artist Hundertwasser’: Becoming old hat. One wonders if the Whangarei community should be given the opportunity to come up with something better.

‘A multi-storeyed “one stop” local government building beside Forum North’: One could think Council has been distracted by the hoopla of the SuperCity rather than concentrating on incremental steps of adding value for ratepayers - for example, the one-stop shop concept.

‘Sale of the WDC-owned Old Boys’ Rugby Football Club grounds, on an elevated site at the back of the Whangarei Warehouse, for a retail complex’: A move by Old Boys’ Rugby to the old rugby park adjacent to the Whangarei Boys’ High School would, to me, provide the link for school boys to make the transition to a senior club. Judge Becroft (Youth Court Judge) states he rarely sees youth offenders that come from a structured environment, such as rugby clubs.

‘A second harbour crossing’: Council has resolved to investigate a bridge/sea-gates option between Port Road and Pohe Island. The best outcome may be to build a bridge now that facilitates the possiblity of sea-gates at a later date. Kioreroa Road to Pohe Island (certainly the most expensive option) would come into play if the sea-gates were ruled out.