From the NAYSAYERS.
Hi everyone
After a lively public meeting last Monday evening, we had a good public attendance at the City Council meeting on Tuesday. Thanks to all who attended. A handful of people appeared to speak in favour of the stadium proposal and a bigger group against, but in the end the Mayor’s resolution was carried unanimously. It was that the Council:
1) Agrees to consult on this proposal through a special consultative procedure as part of the draft annual plan, noting that if this project was to proceed there would be consequential 1% increase in rates per annum, above the CPI increase, over the 3 years commencing 1 July 2016, the $25 million investment would change the Council's debt, and the amendments to the rates and debt targets in the Councils Financial Strategy will be part of the consultation.
2) request officers undertake a more detailed investigation and feasibility in to the proposal including assessing the CFT fundraising plan before any decision is made in June 2014
Some things to note about this are:
·The annual rates increase will be 1%each yearfor the 3 years (so for an average ratepayer this means you’ll be paying an extra $60 per annum as a subsidy to the Phoenix/the stadium)
·The consultation includes the questionnaire that comes out in April 15’s Hutt News and it will be important to fill this out so the Council knows what you think. Responses will be due by May 16.
·The feasibility/investigation will be happening between now and June, so we may not know its outcome before we need to make our submissions on the Annual Plan
To get the Council to change its mind will need a lot of responses to the Annual Plan questionnaire. With that in mind, The Petone Planning Action Group (PPAG) will hold a public meeting on MondayMay 5, at Petone Baptist Church, Buick Street at 7.30pmwhere you can come and get information about the process of responding as well as information about other planning matters affecting our area. It will also be helpful if you can talk to friends and contacts all through the Hutt Valley, raising concerns about extra debt for a stadium we don’t want in Petone.
In the meantime, PPAG is holding a fundraising screening of the movie “Cuban Fury” at Petone Light House cinema on Monday 7th April at 8pm. If you’re interested in tickets ($20 per person), please contact me on 9706350 or by email at this address; or Pam Hanna: clannad@clear.net.nz . We’d love you to join us.