Press Release : HBRC Misrepresents the Truth
From: BayWatch HB Enviromental Group
26/7/11

BayWatch HB environment group says the Regional Council has made a mockery of the proposed investment company consultation process through its latest newsletter Our Place.

HBRC writes, “A special consultation was held earlier this year and 22 submissions were received. However these indicated no strong preference for or against the proposal.” pg 4

We understand there were in fact 13 submissions that strongly opposed the formation of the investment company and only 2 supported it, with another 7 that had reservations. This summary did not include submissions presented through the earlier Annual Plan process that included this topic.

“Right from the beginning the Council has had a grand plan for an investment company that didn’t include consultation with the public” says submitters Diane Charteris and June Graham. “They are now clearly misrepresenting the strong views of the submitters which makes a mockery of the democratic process”.

Most of the opposing submissions did not support the investment company because it was not needed and it opened public monies up to un-necessary risks. We believe the Council should re-look at the 'in principle' decision to set up an investment company and genuinely respond to submitters’ concerns in the process.

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