Take time to celebrate Victory's win

ABOUT TOWN - MATT LAWREY

OPINION: Matt Lawrey writes a note to Nick Smith.

Victory Square Nelson

February 11, 2010

Dear Nick,

Happy New Year! I hope 2010 has got off to a good start for you and your family, and that you enjoyed a well-earned break from Parliament.

As you and I have discussed in the past, there are a few things that we don't see eye-to-eye on but I like to think there are also plenty that we do.

For instance, we are both crazy about Nelson and love beer, although unlike you I'll never be much of a home brewer.

I seem to remember that, like me, you are also a big fan of Cate Blanchett. So there you have it – Nelson, beer and Cate – what else is there?

Seriously, though, for the record, there are many things I respect about you; among them your intellect, political instincts, energy and the skill with which you communicate through the media, but I have to say it's that last talent that has me worried.

Like anyone who pays a passing interest to the topic, I didn't expect Victory winning the New Zealand Community of the Year Award to change your views on the Southern Link, but did you really feel the need to rub the community's nose in it?

When The Nelson Mail called to get your response to the award last week, did you have to tell them that you hoped new designs for the highway would be completed by the end of the year?

Would it have killed you to say: "Today is not the day to be talking about my views on roading. Today is a day to talk about what a fantastic achievement this award represents for the Victory community ..."

And what's up with that comment you made: "There is no reason why the road would take away from what this community has developed itself successfully to be"?

For starters, you are the only person I know who believes that. Second, you must have known how offended people would be by the timing of that statement and that it would probably make the front page. What's the story?

Were those comments payback for Victory and Nelson South choosing Labour's Maryan Street over you at the election? Whatever the answer, it's a bad look.

Something I suspect we do agree on is that the longer Victory doesn't have a highway running through it, the harder it will be to build one.

Even in the four years since the Environment Court turned down the Southern Link, the place has changed heaps.

If you thought opposition to the highway was intense four years ago, wait for the uprising that comes when you try it on again.

Seriously, not only are the people who were living here four years ago more protective about the place than ever, they've now been joined by a new wave of residents who also love the area and will join The Battle for Victory.

And it won't just be people in our part of town; it'll be everyone who recognises that our children's children will thank us if we save the Railway Reserve.

Something tells me, Nick, that you see the Southern Link as an important part of your legacy. We all know infrastructure is important, but I can't help wondering about the impact of your highway on Nelson's societal structure.

It isn't always easy to see but there is a huge gap in this town between the rich and the poor. One of the reasons it isn't more noticeable is because most people get along with each other.

We don't suffer from the levels of resentment between the have-nots and the have-lots that you see in other places.

If, however, you wanted to create that kind of resentment, then building a highway through the part of town where most of the poor people live would do it.

And it won't just be grown-ups, Nick. You'll have kids from Auckland Point School to Nelson Intermediate growing up feeling their needs aren't as important as people who live in Richmond and on the waterfront.

That's thousands of angry people thinking they don't count and the rest of Nelson sucks.

Is that a legacy you want?

Have a think about it,

Matt

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