The Cromwell Community
Board had a visit from Goldfields School pupils on Tuesday (24 October 2023)
who had a special plea; please help stop our greenways turning into brownways.
In
a powerpoint and verbal presentation in the public forum backed up by visual poster aids, pupils cited examples of a growing dog poo and rubbish
problem in Cromwell, and the main culprits as “dog owners and lazy humans”.
“We can’t
blame the dogs! Do you see them with hands and the ability to pick up poo with
a poo bag? Doubt it! The world may be modern and there may be robots popping
up, plus Artificial Intelligence, but dogs that can pick up their own poo, come
on, that’s up to the owner. Do you agree? Okay so if we all agree, why is it
that there is stinky and squishy poo all over our greenways? As for rubbish,
well, that is a whole new problem.”
Cromwell’s
greenways were “beautiful and unique and we need to keep it that way”. Kids
loved to roll around on them and the last thing they wanted to do was roll in
dog poo, they said.
We also
needed to be mindful of our reputation to tourists and that the Council needed
to be harder on people and fine them for not picking up dog poo and rubbish.
“Rubbish and dog poo are ruining our clean, green, lovely Cromwell
environment.”
They asked
the Community Board to invest in bins to be placed at the start of a main
walking track such as the Goldfield’s track between Jolly’s Road and Cromwell
College.
“Without a
doubt, the dog owner would have a more respectful conscience if they see a bin
or a tub of poo bags available, don’t you think? We would! We also believe that
having fresh signs placed around our Turangawaewae would help dog owners,” the
pupils stated in their presentation.
CODC’S
Planning and Regulatory Services Manager Lee Webster, who was briefed about the
children’s visit after the meeting, commended them on taking the initiative to
help tackle this issue.
“They’re
absolutely right; owners need to take responsibility for themselves and their
dogs and clean up after them. Well done Goldfields School pupils for taking the
time to highlight the issue in our community.”
Cromwell
Community Board Chair Anna Harrison thanked the pupils for coming to the
meeting, and later said: “It was great to see the children take an interest in
looking after their town and bringing to light the rubbish and dog poo issue
and bringing solutions to the table. They presented beautifully and represented
themselves and their school and their whanau with distinction.”
A recording
of the meeting is available at:
Meeting
Recordings - Central Otago District Council (codc.govt.nz)
.
Do you care
about your open spaces? You can give your feedback at:
Open
Spaces and Recreation Strategy 2023 | Let’s Talk Central Otago (codc.govt.nz)
