St Lukes Community Applauds Mayoral Leadership

The St Lukes Community Association today extended its heartfelt thanks to Auckland City Mayor and Supercity mayoral aspirant, Hon John Banks, for his leadership on the proposed extensions to the Westfield St Lukes mall. The Association also thanked the rest of the Auckland City Council.

Yesterday, the Council was due to ‘rubber stamp’ recommendations by a Council Hearings Panel that the city’s District Plan be amended to allow the mall to double in size. This proposal had horrified local residents and provoked over 800 submissions in opposition.

Mayor Banks supported a motion delaying the Council’s approval of the plan change, pending a report by council officers on the concerns of residents.

“We congratulate the Mayor for delaying the decision until the Council has an opportunity to properly consider the views of residents.” said Community Association spokesperson Graham Dekker

“However, we remain strongly of the view that it is not appropriate for the Auckland City Council to make a decision on the plan change at all, given the impending local body elections and the establishment of a new Supercity council. The current Auckland City Council should not make such a long-term decision on the eve of its disestablishment.

“The outgoing Council simply does not have the democratic or political mandate to make a decision that will have such a significant impact on Auckland just before it is eclipsed by a newly elected body.” said Mr Dekker.

Mr Dekker said that the Community Association would seek further discussions with Mayor Banks and councillors to ensure that no plan change decision is taken until the new Supercity Council has been established and elected.

ENDS

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