Press release from Hamish Stevens, Howick Community Board member

23 June 2009

Oppose the hasty Queens Wharf upgrade

Howick Community Board member Hamish Stevens is calling on Howick and Manukau residents to oppose the planned expenditure of regional ratepayers’ money to upgrade an old wharf in Auckland city.  Mr Stevens said it appears the $84m upgrade of the Queens wharf is being rail-roaded through to meet the deadlines of the Rugby World Cup which will last not much more than a month. ‘What happens to that space then ?’

If Auckland’s waterfront needs redevelopment, it should be done in a more considered way that leaves a permanent facility and well designed landscape for all in the region to enjoy – not just a couple of tarted  up old sheds on a crumbling wharf. 

‘I really doubt that many Manukau residents will find this very appealing, yet they will be asked to contribute to it as part of the new amalgamated city’.

And as usual Howick and Pakuranga ratepayers will end up paying relatively more than any other Manukau city ratepayers.

Mr Stevens said he is opposed to ratepayers’ money being spent in providing more bars when Auckland had a sufficient number of these already well run by private operators.  ‘This is not the core business of local government’.

Ends

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