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Huge Wave of Support for a locally-led Christchurch
Huge Wave of Support for a locally-led Christchurch - ActionStation
As of today over 1800 people
have submitted to the consultation on the future structure
of the Christchurch rebuild, calling for a locally-led
approach, after member-led campaign organisation;
ActionStation, launched their quick submission form on
Friday.
Spokesperson, Barnaby Bennett, explains;
“Christchurch needs a locally-led recovery to get moving
again. The people of Christchurch and the rest of New
Zealand understand this clearly, shown by the huge wave of
support pouring in as people submit in support of a
locally-led recovery for Christchurch.”
The
submissions have been collected over the past 5 days. People
have submitted through the member-led campaigning
organisation ActionStation calling for an end to the
emergency powers that have been present in Christchurch
since the quakes and returning leadership to the local
council and communities. It was reported in The Press on
Friday the 24th that only 70 submissions had been
received.
Mr Bennett; “The current structure set up
to deal with the earthquake recovery is not working, and has
resulted in both delays and the exclusion of the public from
participating in the recovery. The only way to increase the
speed of the rebuild and involve the people of Christchurch
is to return leadership of the rebuild to the local council
and communities, with the Government in a support
capacity.”
Submitters called for the removal of the
Earthquake recovery Minister’s ability to amend relevant
plans and bylaws directly. They also called for any new
agency to be run by the council, community groups, or an
independent board that can act without ministerial
influence.
Mr Bennett; “If the Government was
serious about supporting a locally-led recovery for
Christchurch they would should start by removing the
Minister's power to override community-led plans and
policies. With this power the Earthquake Recovery Minister
can effectively hold an axe over the Council’s plans
delaying progress even further.”
A video featuring
Chris Lynch and Deon Swiggs interviewing various citizens of
Christchurch about their views on the proposals has been
watched over 30,000 times since its launch on Monday. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSD8KrNDODU]
Submissions
are due by Thursday at 5PM, and ActionStation are
encouraging submissions through their website at www.actionstation.org.nz/christchurch.
ENDS
ActionStation
Our mission is to tautoko (support) and whakamana (uplift) everyday New Zealanders to act together in powerful and coordinated ways to create what we cannot achieve on our own: a society, economy and democracy that serves all of us - everyday people and Papatūānuku, the planet we love.
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