Media release
April 7, 2009

Heart of the City applauds Government decision

Heart of the City Chief Executive Alex Swney is hoping Aucklanders will be pleased with the Government announcement today (Tues. Apr. 7).

“The Government’s decision to scrap the proposed local councils in favour of empowered community boards is a big step forward,” says Swney. “Having one Auckland Council was only ever going to work well with stronger community representation and identity reinforcement.

“The Government has proposed a structure that provides better opportunities for communities to have their local say – great.

“The Waterfront Development Agency, as proposed by the Royal Commission and accepted by Government, is also a big step in the right direction for Auckland and the country,” says Swney.

“We’re hoping this will mean a better waterfront master plan, fewer compromises and better funding so that waterfront development is less piecemeal than it has been.”

Swney says there still needs to be a big focus on Auckland’s city centre.

“Auckland is the country’s flagship international city and is the front door for many visitors and much of our trade,” says Swney. “The city centre is something that all Aucklanders should feel proud of, not just the people living in or close to it.

“The Government’s solution appears to create fewer exceptions for Auckland than what had been proposed by the Commission, which people around the country will hopefully see as sensible.”

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