Kapiti on 'A Knife Edge' for Local Body Elections

The new 'Turn the Tide' group says the future of the Kapiti Coast hangs on 'a knife edge' because of the widely differing views of election candidates.

'Turn the Tide', is headed by retiring Councillor Alan Tristram, who says: 'Voters will face a clear choice between a 'bigger is better' faction and another group wanting to retain Kapiti's traditional coastal lifestyle.

Cr Tristram says the line-up in his ward, Paekakariki/Raumati, shows the split in stark terms.

"On the side of large-scale development we have Guy Weaver, a pro-business, successful car dealer who wants more roads and development for business growth.

"An absolute contrast is provided by Lyndy McIntyre, a committed environment and social issues campaigner, who says development, is out of control on the Kapiti Coast," he says.

Now, Cr Tristram says, the Mayoral race is also demonstrating the stark choice facing electors.

He says mayoral candidate Christ Turver has declared his hand by promoting a 'Big Kapiti' policy.

"His plans for new five or six-storey apartments, where only three storeys are legal now, will prove to be political dynamite," he claims.

"Chris Turver's predictions of a 'make or break' point in the coming District Plan review might be better suited to the coming election," Cr Tristram says.

Councillor Tristram says he has helped set up the 'Turn the Tide' Group to fight the very things that Chris Turver is proposing - basically "Big development, Big Business, and a Big Mistake."

ENDS

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