NEWS RELEASE

27 April 2001

POLL SUGGESTS CHANGES DUE
FOR OTAHUHU MAINSTREET

A poll by Auckland City of the Otahuhu Mainstreet programme suggests members want to reduce both its budget and the boundaries of the Mainstreet area.

And a majority of the 133 respondents – of 553 polled –said they wanted the programme to be run by a restructured Otahuhu Business Association.

The poll was commissioned by Auckland City Council’s City Attractions Committee, following ongoing concerns about the level at which the separate rate for the programme is levied, the boundaries of the rated area and the programme management.

Another concern addressed by the poll was that Otahuhu Business Association membership was not representative of the Otahuhu Separate Ratepayers.

Releasing the poll results, the chairperson of the committee, Councillor Victoria Carter, said it was clear from the results that the budget and the rate, as well as the boundary for the programme, needed to be reviewed.

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Councillor Carter said there was also a mandate for having a restructured business association run the programme.

The poll had 58 respondents saying they paid “way too much” for Mainstreet and 34 saying they paid “a bit too much”, while 47 said they thought they paid “about the right amount” for the programme.

In terms of the programme’s boundaries, the respondents were closely split, with 63 opting for the existing boundaries, which included small pockets to the north and south of the central business district, while 62 wanted to restrict the area to the main CBD.

The committee recommended that council staff work with the Mainstreet Management Committee to pursue the options identified from the poll in relation to the boundary and budget and make final recommendations for next month’s meeting.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
- Councillor Victoria Carter, Chairperson City Attractions Committee, tel: 529-1121 or 025-377-018.
- Di Stewart, Community Planner Mainstreets, tel: 373-6809.

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