Allow Essential Maintenance of Golf Courses During Lockdown Period

Comments

#2601

There is no valid reason why one person cannot carry out turf maintenance on golf courses without C-19 risk to him/herself or the community. Time MBIE got realistic about this proposal.

Mike Seagar (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2602

This is a no-brainer. Performing maintenance carefully will create zero additional risk; and not doing it will create cost, damage and delay to golf clubs and their members.

Ross Quayle (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2606

I am signing because its simply doesn't make sense for one green keeper to drive to a golf course and perform his duties in isolation for the benefit of his golfing comminity.

Bill Bamber (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2607

One employee or member should be allowed to carry out critical maintenance. As NZ recovers from the lockdown, assets like these will assume greater importance in the future.

Michael Salvesen (ashburton, 2020-04-09)

#2610

Was an avid golfer and thinking of going back to play again. I know the work it takes to groom golf courses especially the greens. The cost to maintain or rebuild is phenomenal.

Jo Taane (Tekuiti, 2020-04-09)

#2611

It is patently obvious that one individual maintaining greens on a deserted golf course presents zero infection risk to anyone, while allowing golf greens to be usable after the lockdown. No other country is taking such an extreme approach. It is myopic and dogmatic to make judgments like this. Let them maintain the greens. Same for bowling greens and cricket pitches. It harms no one to allow this to happen.

William Broadmore (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2612

The risk would seem very minimal!

John McGettigan (Methven, 2020-04-09)

#2613

The damage done to meticulously maintained turf cultures from one to two months of neglect at a crucial time of the the growing and spraying season will be irretrievable. The time and financial cost of repair will quite likely cripple some golf clubs, most of which have an aging membership without the resources to recover.

Elizabeth Warren (Hastings, 2020-04-09)

#2620

The risk in allowing this activity is negligible and the benefits of saving community sport are immense.

Peter Williams (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2621

We need the work done on golf course

Shane ohalloran (Christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#2623

I'm not an avid golfer but surely it makes sense to safely maintain fairways & greens of golf courses to prevent the spread of disease & vermin not to mention minimizing the possibility of financial ruin for the struggling clubs involved. Same goes for bowling greens.

Lyndon Bowden (Christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#2624

I was a green keeper in the wairarapa a golf course is judged by the quality of its greens these greens dont happen by accident,its takes a fulltime person to maintain them if neglected for a period of time they will deteriorate rapidly
A golf club is judged by the quality of its greens more than any other aspect of the course so im saying let the staff keep on with the maintenace cheers

Allan Bradley (Featherston, 2020-04-09)

#2625

The exemption requested does not pose any material risk under Alert Level 4.

Murray Coppersmith (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2637

I’m signing because I consider it to be wise and a substantial money saver.

Michael Williams (Lower Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#2640

Without regular course maintenance some golf clubs will not survive due to expensive recovery programmes to bring the course back to playable condition, which in turn will congest the memberships of other clubs, and make the game an expensive and elitist sport in NZ.

Paul Wiig (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2642

I love and miss golf

Josh Dixon (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2645

I believe this work can be carried out by 1 person and is safe to carry on during level 4. The reason I think the work is important is because without it, years of hard work will be lost keeping greens in good condition for people who enjoy golf.

Helene Page (Christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#2646

Golf Clubs and other sporting venues that rely on grass to play sports should be able to be maintained during this exceptional period. Without such maintenance many venues will be unplayable for a very long time.

Dawn Scott (Porirua, 2020-04-09)

#2649

Constant turf maintenance is essential for golf courses and will potentially cause millions of wasted dollars to repair if this is not allowed.

David Bradford (Wellington New Zealand, 2020-04-09)

#2650

I am deeply concerned that MBIE will not permit the safe maintenance of the critical parts of my golf club courses during the Covid-19 shutdown. This will be prohibitively expensive to rectify after the shutdown.

Noel Kennedy (Dunedin, 2020-04-09)

#2652

Council are maintaining parks. Green keepers can work in isolation. Cost of not maintaining courses will result in job loses and closure of some courses

Adriana Stewart (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2653

Its utterly short sighted of MBIE to not allow this vital maintenance. Millions of dollars are spent across NZ golf courses every year to keep courses in playing condition. The damage caused by leaving greens (in particular) unattended will cost $millions to put right and this is $millions that courses simply do not have. Please see sense

Derry Bourke (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2654

Golf course turf management is essential. We at RWGC have just spent a small fortune on retaining our course to Championship level - What a waste of money it would al be!

Priscilla Wood (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2658

Low infection risk - extremely high risk of permanent damage to important social environment

David Whyte (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2661

I'm signing because the risk is minimal and the cost of reinstatement may destroy many clubs with a permanent loss of jobs.

Thomas DUFFY (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2662

I believe that without the maintenance the damage will be irreparable or will cost an absorbent amount of money which clubs wont be able to afford and the sooner that they can get back to normal business the better for all.

Mark Jones (Upper Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#2664

It needs to be done, sports is important to health and mind

Robyn Carrington (Christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#2668

Lack of maintenance will run the greens meaning a much longer start up time to start playeing golf again which is necessary for people's moral at the end of this lockdown. Cheers.

Hugh Jones (Mangawhai, 2020-04-09)

#2669

It will cost millions and destroy clubs if we don’t

Neill Reid (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2674

Being involved with Maintenance on our Local Golf Course, I am aware of issues regarding control of Fungus and Diseases on our Greens. As we are currently going through a period of cool weather with moisture staying on the greens and not a lot of Heat. This just enhances the Spread of this Fungus and Diseases.

Gordon Rennie (Ashburton, 2020-04-09)

#2677

Local golf courses struggle already. By not having regular maintenence, once everyone is able to return, they won't be able to. Given that there is currently no play, there should be no issue with green keepers doing their job.

Jane Whyte (Waiuku, 2020-04-09)

#2678

Specially sport turf will be lost in our small communities. These are the only place locals socialises, bowling clubs too.
Please allow basic maintenance on these valuable places

Catharin Chalmers (Arapuni, 2020-04-09)

#2682

Golf is an important and safe physical activity for a wide range of age groups.
Courses are financially vulnerable.
Appropriately implemented the maintenance could be completed safely at alert level 4 especially given many green keepers live on course.

Shaun Sexton (Bulls, 2020-04-09)

#2683

I along with many other players want to return to this healthy pastime as soon as we are able to and we took great pride in the condition or our course prior to lockdown and wish that pride to continue after!

Sarah Miller (Oamaru, 2020-04-09)

#2685

Greenkeeper at Riversdale Beach golf course

Stuart Adamson (Masterton, 2020-04-09)

#2686

I appreciate that many New Zealanders are suffering hardship at this time and large numbers want exemptions. However, allowing one person working alone towards the end of the lockdown seems reasonable.

Ted Blaikie (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2688

Clubs operate on narrow margins and can not afford recovery.

David Ongley (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2689

John Triggs

John Triggs (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2691

The greens will not be recoverable if allowed to 'grow out', and golf courses and clubs will close. Forever.

Kevin Chubb (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2692

I care

John-Dean Smith (Martinborough, 2020-04-09)

#2697

I play golf and want to get back ASAP for stress and mental well being after the level 4 lockdown

Todd Mayson (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2699

If critical parts of any golf course (namely putting greens) do not receive basic maintenance over the shutdown period, the task of restoring the greens to required standards/conditions may not be achievable or affordable for many golf clubs.
The long-term financial impacts for golf clubs and consequently for the many NZ’ers who enjoy the game, will be far reaching.

Duncan Stokes (Upper Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#2702

The cost of maintaining golf courses after the lock down could see a lot of golf clubs struggling financially or even having to close!

Lance Waters (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2703

I feel this is extremely important to assist in getting the society back to normal and all of the work force working not to mention the huge cost that could be incurred in remedials

Steven Lawson (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2710

The cost and time to get the greens especially would put so many golf courses in to debt! One green keeper could be just looking after the greens at this time! If the councils can continue to mow their parks - surely to maintain a golf course is the same.

Pamela Waters (Kerikeri, 2020-04-09)

#2712

I agree that the cost of restoring damaged greens may be beyond the means of many small clubs, yet the damage could be easily and safely prevented by allowing one person to access them during the lock down period.

Peter Dengate Thrush (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2713

The covid risk is nonexistent and the cost to clubs may well be very great

Kate Ongley (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2722

I want to be able to play on my 2 golf courses I am a member of in the future. Without maintenance one of these course will be forced to close as they will not have a course to play on when all of this over and niethether the finances to survive. It is basically a one man job to do basic management to hold the courses in a semi stable position.

SAMUEL CRANFIELD (WELLINGTON, 2020-04-09)

#2723

The risk must be minimal if only one person is involved.
If the person lived near the course they would be allowed to walk over the same ground.
If Clubs are closed beyond the isolation period, that will adversely affect the jobs and incomes of club workers who are not greens staff.
That can be avoided by letting one greens worker continue to work now.

David Cochrane (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2724

Because I’m a golfer!

Debbie Wylde (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2725

I am signing this petition because of the remoteness of the turf and bares no direct threat to anyone. Each turf is important to community health and fitness professionally.

Elemai Lagahetau (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2726

I believe that courses must be maintained to a standard that will aloud a speedy return to normal after the lockdown has concluded.

Myles Wareham (Porirua, 2020-04-09)

#2729

It would be a huge cost to clubs to reinstate greens

Marg Maher (Whitianga, 2020-04-09)

#2731

I don’t want my sacrifice to needlessly include my leisure time activity

Mark Hamilton (Dunedin, 2020-04-09)

#2732

I love the game

Dan Perry (Christchurch, 2020-04-09)

#2736

Absolutely ludicrous that maintenance of Golf courses, Bowling greens and School grounds it not ESSENTIAL because IT IS. In the open air and with NO close contact. Get Real.

John Stace (Havelock North, 2020-04-09)

#2739

This is critical. How are the clubs supposed to get back operating quickly. This sport is for all ages and good for fitness which is important.

Steve James (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2740

There is minimal danger for a lone worker to be cutting the greens

John Harvey (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2741

I’m signing because :
1. There is essential maintenance work which, if not carried out, will result in substantial cost and disruption for our and indeed many golf clubs.
2. The risk of contagion is negligible.
3. We are living directly adjoining Royal Wellington, and are happily mowing our lawn. We see no difference between our mowing and the club’s.
4. We walk our course daily, and one maintenance staff member would pose/be in absolutely no contagion danger.

Kevin O’Connor (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2742

I'm a member of an Auckland golf club and in my opinion golf course maintenance can be undertaken in a safe manner during this lockdown.

Donna Mason (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2745

I’m a golfer and Life member of the Lower Waitaki Golf Club and to see our greens especially, as well as full course in ruins would be so devastating to all the excellent work done by our dedicated green keeper as well as all our dedicated and passionate volunteers. Please allow at least greens maintenance Jacinda.

Lois Wotton (Oamaru, 2020-04-09)

#2747

Golf courses urgently need to be maintained so that the myriad of clubs in NZ have a fighting chance of survival once the lockdown finishes or the Level of lockdown is reduced. The risk to public safety is absolutely minimal, nowhere near shopping at the supermarket or visiting a bottle store in West Auckland!

Grant Waterhouse (Waikanae, 2020-04-09)

#2749

Go judgeford

Logan Walton (Porirua, 2020-04-09)

#2755

Common sense must apply to safe pursuits that will save people’s interests in the long term.

Murray Powell (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2756

I support one employee carrying out essential maintenance of golf facilities by themselves and following Covid-19 practices through the Lockdown because it makes common sense as it will reduce long term economic harm to golf clubs and support citizen wellbeing.

Suzanne Carter (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2759

My husband lance plays and they should be looked after

Tracey Phelps (Martinborough, 2020-04-09)

#2761

This is a very low risk activity and reduces the costs of restoration post lifting of lock down. Like many others this is my primary recreation and social activity.

Geoff Swainson (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2767

Once a week to mow the greens

Kevin Stott (New Plymouth, 2020-04-09)

#2768

Too help look after our beautiful course and also others around the country

Mark Harper (wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2773

I’m signing this petition because I believe many if not all golf courses can be maintained during the lockdown without the greenkeepers coming into contact with other people and maintaining the courses now will save millions of dollars which have to be obtained by donation and subscriptions, which will be very hard to get.

Sandra Cameron (Dunedin, 2020-04-09)

#2780

The regulation is ludicrous!

Robert Fisher (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2783

Both golf greens and bowling greens need constant work and if their maintenance program is stopped the effects down the track are sometime irreversible so they need to be maintained

Greg Snelling (Methven, 2020-04-09)

#2785

To save golf courses.

Gregory Watson (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2787

Our golf club struggles financially and I don’t want it to close because of the state of the course due to lack of maintenance.. volunteers all over NZ work hard to support their local club it would really help if MBIE would see sense...

Bettyjean Swainson (Wellington, 2020-04-09)

#2789

if parks can be mowed so can gold courses.

Vanya Taulealo (Apia, 2020-04-09)

#2791

Because the millions of dollars they will have to spend to get them back up and running.... and there would only be a few on the greens grooming them. We had house cleaners next door on an empty house and builders where we live working on a housing NZ house.... what's the difference!!!!

Scott Darrall (Tauranga, 2020-04-09)

#2793

It is necessary to cut the grass regularly and all green keepers do not work closely together

Rodney Barltrop (Upper Hutt, 2020-04-09)

#2796

It will cause the closing of courses if we dont as the greens will deteriorate too much

Andrea Thomas (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2797

It is essential to maintain greens

Alex Fowler (Auckland, 2020-04-09)

#2800

Golf course can be maintained with considerable safety for greens staff who can operate in total isolation, earning a wage and saving endless hours of recovery work to these necessary green spaces.

Randal Warner (Martinborough, 2020-04-09)