FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Statement by Porirua City Councillor Robert Shaw

Aotea Lagoon

Council moves are stop democratic processes in the Aotea Lagoon controversy are deplorable.

Council will remove the signs of opponents on, and around, the Lagoon - yet advertising on this site has been a customary use for commercial, political and community groups.

The Council claims it is unfair to the developer that the park displays signs against his proposal.

What is unfair is that the Council without public consultation carried a motion to support the wakeboard project.

It has spent the ratepayers' money to develop a workable proposal and to negotiate a lease. All this expenditure on the project before asking the public.

If Council wants to be fair they will help those who oppose the project as they helped the developer.

The developer is to hold a public meeting and council officers will be there. This is his method of advocacy.

If the developer wants to erect a sign he should be able to do so, but so should others who have an opinion.

Those who oppose the plan have their methods of advocacy and the Council should not interfere with them. Having set up the consultation, Council should now let it roll.

This clash of opinion is similar to that which occurred when it was proposed that there be commercial golf on a Plimmerton park. Councillors who support commercial development in the city have the view that public parks are available to developers.

Robert Shaw
Porirua City Councillor 

ends

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