Cr Bill Faulkner Faulkners Corner www.sunlive.co.nz

Elected members had their nose to the political grindstone this week as we worked through the business build up before Christmas.

It's an annual ritual. Everyone knows its coming but somehow the workload just can't be stretched out over the year and there's always this last minute rush. Just like you probably!

The 18th Avenue intersection opposite the hospital will cost around $900,000, give or take 20 per cent contingency. Council/ratepayers will likely make a contribution for 'betterment” and developers and the hospital will be asked to pay for the majority. I received assurance that the new set of lights at 18th^h Ave would be phased in with the 17th Ave lights and the existing pedestrian crossing would be moved north to be included in the 18th Ave project.

It's my view that traffic should be encouraged to flow smoothly rather than the stop/start hopscotch effect that Cameron Road seems to be. I also raised the possibility of saving some of the road works by moving the cycle tracks off Cameron Road and forming them as part of the footpath, but that received a negative response. That part of Cameron Road is a real pinch point and I foolishly thought the 20,000 or so cars that pour through there should receive a priority over the 20 or so bikes that trickle through during the day. Silly me.

At Projects and Monitoring elected members heard from long-time council protagonist David Holland enthusing over Council's dune care restoration programme down at Papamoa. David said even the P.D. people who were doing some of the work were also getting into the spirit of the programme. Wayne Moultrie responded by saying it was the first time in 40 years he had agreed with David – to much hilarity. Restoring the dunes requires removal of all the exotic plants and replacing with native plantings, so that when the wind blows those plants catch the sand, which builds the dunes, which protects against coastal erosion and preserves the beach. Inexplicably there are some people who oppose the programme and David's point was that staff, contractors and workers should be praised and encouraged by council for their efforts.

There was a presentation from the police over how they intend to operate at the Mount over the holiday period. Suffice to say they will be policing to ensure a family atmosphere and the raucous party types can expect short shrift. They now have 'smart devices” – read iPads – to process ne'er-do-wells at the roadside, instead of screeds of paper work at the police station. This means more frontline police available in public for more time. They are cutting the time they will run ‘Alcatraz' out the back of the police station this year, so they are anticipating less trouble. Of course it's in the louts' own hands and a good idea to avoid trouble and Alcatraz is not to cause it.

The next presentation was from the regional council, with an update on what they are doing around the city – a welcome initiative as Tauranga City ratepayers are the major rates funder of the regional council. I was dismayed however to learn that although they were spending around $500,000 on air quality they saw ‘no significant issues'. I've been raising the issue of that black/grey dust that comes over the city – euphemistically called ‘urban dust'. In easterly winds Sulphur Point gets covered in it. We are breathing it. It's in very significant quantities and I presume in westerly conditions it's getting blown over the Mount.

A workshop on the Government's proposal on elected members remuneration for the next triennium. Not a lot of change on the present system this council uses, as we moved away from meeting fees years ago. Unfortunately Government still focuses on time spent – not on effort, quality of contribution, ability and outcomes. As I've said before, in some councils some elected members made their best contribution by not turning up. At present an elected member can retain their seat by attending one out of three full council meetings and not even attending committee meetings. Of course they would probably only last one term! We were asked how much time each of us put in and estimates ranged from 20 hours by Rick Curach to 45 or so for others. It's almost impossible to gauge effectively but in my experience it's a 24/7 obligation and people expect you to be available anytime, anywhere. It runs with the territory and if you don't accept this, then it's probably not for you. Talking about this, some elected members have been getting aggressive and abusive emails of late about this and that. Some of the signature names are ingenuous, so in the event we will now be asking for a phone number in some cases to ensure these are real people. For example, I am aware of one prolific emailer who has about a dozen user names.

A long, drawn out meeting on a proposed review of Smartgrowth. As it's Christmas time I'll spare you the detail but it is going out to you for consultation on a vote of 10-1, with Catherine Stewart dissenting. Your input is vital in my opinion. For instance, it was the community input that sealed the fate at the failed ‘nodal intensification development, model. Agreement to consultation with you does not necessarily endorse the draft document. Update on the CEO appointment process – it's work in progress with no final decision this week.

A great evening at TECT Arena for the Waipuna Hospice benefit evening last Saturday night. I mention this as a tribute to former councillor the late Bob Addison, whose vision for a multi purpose/function/sports facility has become a reality. It wasn't easy, but it seems council/users/designers/consultants got this one right. A very flexible and well organised staff ensure that it all runs like clockwork. Bob would be very proud and pleased with the finished product. And on budget too!

This week's mindbender from Burt Rutan, inventor of the winglet on aircraft – You're not doing research unless more than half the people think it's impossible.