Rodney Mayor Supports Rural Residents Concerns

Rodney’s Mayor says she fully supports the motives of residents in the Franklin District who wish to be excluded from new Auckland super city.

Penny Webster believes yesterday’s meeting of 600 Franklin’s residents asking to be left out of the new Auckland Council should concern the Minister of Local Government.

“However, if Rodney Hide thinks that having 600 upset people in Franklin is a problem – then he has major issues in the northern part of Rodney where more than 4000 people have already signed a petition demanding to be left out the new Auckland Council”.

Mrs Webster was referring to the Northern Action Group petition which aims to gather 10,000 signatures telling the Government it does not want to be part of the proposed Auckland Council. The group wants a new council based on the select committee's recommendations that suggested northern Rodney remain out of the super city and be merged with Kaipara District Council.

“While the Rodney District Council accepts that it has been made part of new Auckland Council and our staff is working very hard to make this happen. However, if the Minister and Government are prepared to re-look at the boundary situation – we are happy to talk with them.”

Mayor Webster says it is vitally important that the people on the rural outskirts of greater Auckland are not ignored.

“I am right behind the people in Franklin and northern Rodney demanding the Government listen to their concerns. They have a voice and it needs to be heard and taken seriously,” she added.

ENDS

© Scoop Media