Media Release from Cr Dick Quax

Sunday, 29 April 2007

Quax Supports Referenda for Manukau

Mayoral candidate, Dick Quaxannounced that under his administration Manukau City Council would use annual referenda to determine which significant issues the people of Manukau wanted council action on.

Making the announcement today Cr Quax said that a referendum will give the people of Manukau a real influence on how the council spends ratepayer’s money.

“The key here is that it will be the ratepayers that determine how money is spent”.

“Over the years our Council has become remote from our ratepayers and there is growing disenchantment with our consultation processes. I intend to put the ratepayers squarely back into the driving seat of Manukau”.

Any Manukau resident who is on the electoral roll will be entitled to a vote on a range of issues which will arise over the course of the year. 

An example of a recent controversial matter that should have been subject to a referendum according to Cr Quax was the decision to commit over $40 million to build the Pacific Event Centre.

An example cited by Cr Quax as a possible item for a future referendum is around the sale of liquor.

“Bars in Manukau are allowed to remain open to 3am. Many people have commented to me that this is a major problem in Manukau and needs to be addressed”.  

ENDS

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