10 October 2007

Megan Woods calls on Council to defer decision on site for proposed new Civic Offices

Tonight, 2021 Mayoral candidate Megan Woods has called on sitting Christchurch City councillors to defer the selection of the site for the new council offices to the new council.

At around 8pm this evening, Christchurch City Councillors received an addition to the agenda for their final council meeting of the term. At tomorrow's meeting they will make a decision on the site for the proposed new Civic Offices.

"The cost and location of the proposed new building is a contentious election issue that my team and I have issued a clear alternative position for voters to consider in this election. This election is finally offering the citizens of Christchurch an opportunity to have their say on the building, its location and its price tag. It is outrageous to deny them this opportunity. This is what any decision tomorrow will do", said Megan Woods.

"The eleventh-hour addition of the item as a public excluded item to tomorrow's final council agenda encapsulates everything that has led to plummeting levels in public satisfaction with this council and its decision making. If allowed to proceed, this will be a hurried decision that is not following proper process. Councillors have not been given adequate opportunity to digest and analyse the information on what is a huge decision for the city. And, once again it will be a secretive and behind closed-doors decision that the public are denied access to".

"Throughout this campaign, I, and my team, have campaigned for more open and transparent decision making. We know that this is what the public want".

Woods reminded voters that "this is not the way it needs to be. I urge those who have not yet voted to send a clear message - that this is not the style of local government that they are prepared to tolerate. A vote for me and for my team is a vote for people who are committed to delivering a far more accountable, accessible, open and transparent Christchurch City Council".

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