June 12, 2012

Ignoring Lower Hutt residents is not democracy.

The voice of Lower Hutt residents has been ignored by Greater Wellington Regional Council which today opted to support a two-tier Supercity model, says Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace.

“A large majority of our people do not want a super city and our current surveys are reinforcing that view.

“The regional councillors who supported the decision have taken an isolationist approach. They have consistently turned their heads and ignored our views.

“Their proposed model has already been rejected by the councils and their communities in Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa, Kapiti, Upper Hutt and Hutt City.

“Our position in Lower Hutt rests with the people we serve.

“I have always said our council would ask the people of our community what they prefer and then make a submission based on that preference. Our view has not changed.

“The decision of the GWRC compounds our view that they are out of touch with the communities they are elected to serve.

“We will continue to fight to ensure the voice of Lower Hutt is heard in this discussion on local government reform,” says Mayor Wallace.

A Hutt Valley survey on local government options closes on Friday,

ENDS