Airport security just nonsense

Terrorists 1, Queenstown residents 0 – as citizens of New Zealand, we’ll have lost again.

What bureaucratic nonsense the proposed security arrangements for Queenstown Airport will be for a small country airfield like ours (MS Aug 27).

The outcome will change our day-to-day lives for the worse and forever – for no real gain in total security.

There will also probably be another increase in landing fees, and therefore airfares, when Air NZ go the other way to give us great service, comfort and value.  

I suppose the new security moves will provide more employment for the already bloated numbers filling in their days at the airport – and more grandiose importance for the charge-hands running it.

Oh for the days when there was one efficient leader and Bob Robertson cutting the grass. There’s no risk at Queenstown Airport for travellers, except from the local policemen carrying sidearms.

Our cops have been known in the past to have sprayed bullets all over the neighbourhood without hitting the target when managing wayward local dogs – and their appearance in the airport terminal always makes me nervous.  

If airport management can’t organise targeted security to sort out spivs, drug dealers and people likely to have a Ventolin inhaler in their luggage when boarding a flight, I would suggest the following: have full-blown security to protect all travellers at the Kawarau Bridge, Shotover Bridge and Edith Cavell Bridge.

Then we could sleep easy in our beds.

GEOFF BRADLEY
Queenstown

Strange lights at night

Does anyone have any knowledge of airborne light activity towards Walter Peak last Saturday night around 7pm?

Walking back from town to Brisbane Street, my wife and I observed what we initially thought might be a helicopter with a red-amber light, apparently inbound towards Queenstown from the Walter Peak direction.

The height was consistent with a helicopter following that route along the lake, although it could have been much further away.

We looked again a few moments later and it appeared to have put a landing light on, yet this appeared squarer than most and tinged amber – about the size of half a small fingernail with your arm held right out. Quite bright, quite large.

At this point, it shifted course to what appeared to be a track towards Skyline. 

The light at this point was very bright and unlike any landing-type light I’ve seen.

While discussing this and watching, the bright light disappeared and then a red light was seen to move at considerable speed south-east, soon disappearing.

We stood for some time discussing possibilities but came up with none.

While we were talking, we spotted a similar red light moving rapidly across the sky from the Glenorchy direction over Walter Peak and then disappearing below the hills. Distances are deceptive at night and this could have been close or far away.

A rational explanation for this latter light could have been a large firework but we’re unable to come up with a rational explanation for the first light.

Is anyone aware of any activity that could have caused this?

I’ve worked as an air traffic controller in several countries for many years so I have some familiarity with observing aircraft at night. But I don’t believe in UFOs.

ANDY DRAIN
Queenstown

Not an architect

My thanks to Mountain Scene for featuring my Kotuku entry in the Guggenheim Museum Design It shelter competition.

However, I’ve been misrepresented by use of the term “architect”.

This is a common mistake that members of the public may be unaware of.

The term is protected by legal statute – only those registered with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board may use it.

I wish to clarify that I’m an architectural designer and have never been, nor claimed to be, an architect. I’m very grateful to Mountain Scene for supporting local arts and culture, however.

GRAHAM ROEBECK
Queenstown

Motor park panned

We’ve had a lovely time recently, exploring beautiful Fiordland and Central Otago by campervan.

Motor parks in Wanaka and Te Anau were brilliant – spacious, clean and inviting – but sadly, not Queenstown’s.

We hear it’s run by the local council. This is a blot on your beautiful landscape.

The parking spaces are grubby and uninviting.

After looking around at the facilities, we decided to move on. Having to pay for a shower took the cake.

Come on, councillors – check it out, it’s appalling.

MARJORIE & IAN PETERS
Queensland, Australia

POSTED on www.scene.co.nz - Your comments this week 

Wheelie unfair

Andrew Clark says:

Why do we have to pay for wheelie bins at all? Consider that Central Otago District Council actually gave each household a wheelie bin years ago. Their waste collection charge is less than Queenstown Lakes District Council’s.

The bin is allocated to the house.

A replacement bin costs but not the initial one. So why do QLDC ratepayers have to pay for a wheelie bin?

One reason CODC changed to wheelie bins was to keep streets tidier – dogs and cats don’t get into wheelie bins.

This is another example of QLDC trying to create surplus instead of delivering the basic service at a realistic cost.