WATER PRESSURE GROUP MEDIA RELEASE
20 January 2000

PICKET - Outside Metrowater Cnr Mt Albert and Mt Eden Rds NOON - 2PM Friday 21 January 2000

Our message to the Mayor and Auckland City councillors is that had the submissions from the 15,000+ citizens calling for the abolition of Metrowater been heeded during the councils $745,000 "public consultation process" last June, the latest wave of draconian Metrowater arrogance would not be happening.

If Mayor Christine Fletcher is so concerned about Metrowater's conduct then why is she determined to save Metrowater?

The Water Pressure Group maintains that ownership of Auckland city's water services should be returned the council to be run as a Satnd Alone Business Unit - as part of normal civic operations. Does the Mayor lack the confidence that council under her leadership is capable of fulfilling the duties of efficiently managing thist most basic of public needs?

The Water Pressure Group is resolute in its policy that water disconnections will not be tolerated. Throughout this protracted public campaign, the group has repeatedly called for a moratorium - until the disputed matters are resolved - to include all those withholding wastewater payments and to guarantee them, the water supply they have paid for.

The outcome of Metrowater's Hign Court hearing in December does not give them the right to disconnect. The judgment rules that the Doctrine of Prime Necessity has been superceded by the Commerce Act, and therefore water services may be deemed to be a commodity in New Zealand. Today, papers will be lodged to appeal that ruling.

Jim Gladwin & Penny Bright Media Spokespersons

The Water Pressure Group http://www.water-pressure-group.org.nz/ email: jimg@pl.net PO Box 10046 Dominion Road Auckland New Zealand Ph / Fax 0064 09 828 4517 Mobile: 025 2666 552

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