Ombudsman upholds complaint over Christchurch City Council’s $1m touch screen

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the Ombudsman’s judgment forcing Christchurch City Council to reveal the cost of a seven-metre ‘touch wall’.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Louis Houlbrooke says, “Christchurch City Council’s effort to thwart freedom of information law to cover up the cost of the touch screen is appalling. Three years ago, MBIE were rightfully slammed for spending $140,000 on a screen, but at least they didn’t try to break the law and keep it secret.”

“The Council’s ‘touch wall’ is twice as long as MBIE’s screen and is interactive, so the cost is likely to be far higher. While we still await final confirmation of costs from the Council, the Ombudsman noted that the contractor described the touch wall’s cost as up to 1.3 percent of the total library project. The library is a $100 million project, meaning the cost of the screen appears to be over $1 million.”

“Christchurch ratepayers are being hammered with annual rate hikes averaging six percent. And with core infrastructure still not up to scratch, ratepayers expect their rates will be put to good use. Frankly, what amounts to a million dollar TV is a luxury that should not take priority over vital services. If this is the Council’s approach to spending, it’s no wonder the cost of the library and town hall are both blowing out.”

ENDS

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