The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has completed a series of six public drop in sessions to discuss options for funding the future of Napier Port.

It is consulting on four potential options to fund the port’s growth and over the last month has held six public drop-in sessions throughout Hawke’s Bay with the final meeting in Wairoa last night. Regional Council staff and councillors were also part of the Napier Port stand at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show sharing information with the public and will be at the Central Hawke’s Bay A&P Show tomorrow (Sat 10 Nov). These public sessions are backed up by newspaper and radio advertising and a social media campaign.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chair Rex Graham has been pleased with the level of interest in the process and the public’s willingness to discuss and debate the issue.

“It’s great to get out and chat with members of the public about this very important decision and I urge the people of Hawke’s Bay to have their say. We are really keen to hear what they think,” says Mr Graham.

So far the Regional Council has received close to 1,100 submissions. The public has until 4pm on Thursday 22 November 2018 to make a submission.

The full Port consultation document is available online, in Regional Council offices and at local libraries. A two-page summary has been distributed, which can be filled in and sent back to the Regional Council by Freepost. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council ratepayers will also be receiving a postcard in the mail urging them to have their say. Online submissions can be made through the Regional Council website – www.hbrc.govt.nz

“We want to make sure that everyone who wants to be heard has the chance and we are trying to make it as easy as we can to do so.”

© Scoop Media