MEDIA RELEASE DATE: 12.8.07
'Environment at stake, says Martin'
Wanganui's environmental future mustn't be sacrificed by political point scoring, says mayoral challenger John Martin. "It's time to get serious about our environment and the best way to do that is by working in partnership with individuals and organisations who are committed to ensuring future generations can enjoy the security and lifestyle advantages that have made our district such a special place," said Mr Martin.
"Instead we are seeing renewed attacks on the regional council by theVision group that has played fast and loose with so many of our key relationships over the past three years. The fact is, it has never been more important for Wanganui's elected representatives and Council staff to work closely with Horizons and our neighbouring district councils, as well as Iwi, conservation groups and individuals."He said he was concerned that at a time when many important regional management issues were being debated by Horizons councillors, Wanganui had effectively been reduced to one voice and one vote for much of the current term because of the poor attendance of Cr Brookhammer. "We have been well served by Cr Annette Main and she has repeatedly tried to establish a good dialogue with Wanganui's council, but that has been difficult when the mayor has taken such an aggressive stance, and the council has simply fallen into line.
"Mr Martin said the Vision dominated Council would leave a legacy ofenvironmental neglect and mismanagement. "There's been a focus on expensive new projects like the $250,000 spent over two years on the 'Heart of the City', with nothing to show for it. Yet here's also been an unwillingness, tinged with arrogance, to take responsibility for Wanganui's most precious asset – the environment.
"Wanganui needed to join the rest of the world in recognising that the way people live and work would change within the next 10 years, he said. "We need a council that can plan for that. It's not good enough to toss responsibility for river management and flood protection to Horizons and then blame them for any impact on rates; this is an issue that will not go away.
"Mr Martin said the potential of the port to play a role in the likely resurgence of coastal shipping needed to be protected, and local and neighbourhood amenities like swimming pools and community halls shouldn't be run down or sold off at a time when soaring transport costs will restrict people's ability to travel. "These will be urgent issues for me as mayor and I'll move quickly to get all interested groups and individuals involved in planning for a sustainable future," said Mr Martin.
'Environment at stake, says Martin'
Wanganui's environmental future mustn't be sacrificed by political point scoring, says mayoral challenger John Martin. "It's time to get serious about our environment and the best way to do that is by working in partnership with individuals and organisations who are committed to ensuring future generations can enjoy the security and lifestyle advantages that have made our district such a special place," said Mr Martin."Instead we are seeing renewed attacks on the regional council by theVision group that has played fast and loose with so many of our key relationships over the past three years. The fact is, it has never been more important for Wanganui's elected representatives and Council staff to work closely with Horizons and our neighbouring district councils, as well as Iwi, conservation groups and individuals."He said he was concerned that at a time when many important regional management issues were being debated by Horizons councillors, Wanganui had effectively been reduced to one voice and one vote for much of the current term because of the poor attendance of Cr Brookhammer. "We have been well served by Cr Annette Main and she has repeatedly tried to establish a good dialogue with Wanganui's council, but that has been difficult when the mayor has taken such an aggressive stance, and the council has simply fallen into line.
"Mr Martin said the Vision dominated Council would leave a legacy ofenvironmental neglect and mismanagement. "There's been a focus on expensive new projects like the $250,000 spent over two years on the 'Heart of the City', with nothing to show for it. Yet here's also been an unwillingness, tinged with arrogance, to take responsibility for Wanganui's most precious asset – the environment.
"Wanganui needed to join the rest of the world in recognising that the way people live and work would change within the next 10 years, he said. "We need a council that can plan for that. It's not good enough to toss responsibility for river management and flood protection to Horizons and then blame them for any impact on rates; this is an issue that will not go away.
"Mr Martin said the potential of the port to play a role in the likely resurgence of coastal shipping needed to be protected, and local and neighbourhood amenities like swimming pools and community halls shouldn't be run down or sold off at a time when soaring transport costs will restrict people's ability to travel. "These will be urgent issues for me as mayor and I'll move quickly to get all interested groups and individuals involved in planning for a sustainable future," said Mr Martin.
