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Scoop Images: Not A Waterfront Compromise
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Mayor Mark Blumsky reading his statement – behind him in white is Deputy Mayor Kerry Prendergast, at far right is councillor Alec Shaw.
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The
Mayor answers questions, at left is Labour Councillor Sue
Piper who is to be responsible for a new public consultation
on waterfront issues.
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A
show of unity – the Wellington Alive/Labour coalition were
out in force to support the Mayor in his latest attempt to
regain control of the waterfront
debate.
Wellington Mayor Mark Blumsky this
morning made a statement to the people of Wellington on the
controversial issue of “Variation 17” and on development on
the waterfront. He said he wanted to find the middle ground
between a paddock and a wall.
Opponents of the council's plans for the waterfront have dubbed Variation 17 the "Great Wall of Wellington".
Today the Mayor proposed a “People’s Waterfront Charter” which is designed to remove the heat and angst from the waterfront debate.
At this afternoon’s emergency council meeting on the waterfront the Wellington Alive/Labour coalition will propose an extension of the period for submissions on the waterfront till May 7.
In addition the council will undertake another public consultation towards making a council submission to the planning process fro the waterfront.
Questioned on whether his latest moves were a compromise the Mayor said they were the “right thing to do”.
Earlier this morning Waterfront Watch suggested that if the Mayor was seeking a compromise, it might have been sensible to consult with interested parties before making an announcement.
Asked about this the Mayor replied that Waterfront Watch had been far from inclusive when holding its public meeting in the Town Hall last week.
RELATED LINKS
FULL TEXT:
The Mayor’s Announcement:
- Draft People's Waterfront Charter
-
Mayor Blumsky: Statement To The People Of
Wgtn
- Mayor Seeks Middle Ground No Wall; No
Paddock
Earlier Related Scoop Photo
Stories:
- Our
Place - Te Papa - Surrounded!
- Wellington’s Civic
Revolution
Alastair Thompson
Scoop Publisher
Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.
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