29 October 2018

Today marks the half-way point in Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s community consultation around options for funding the future of Napier Port.

Regional Council Chair Rex Graham says consultation documents had been distributed across Hawke’s Bay, public drop-in information sessions were being held, and today freepost submission forms were beginning to be distributed across the region.

The first drop in session has been held in Central Hawke’s Bay and was an active debate on how to fund the new wharf and a raft of other issues. Other drop-in meetings will be held this week.

“We’ve been pleased with the level of community engagement in this process and a willingness to discuss and debate the issue,” says Mr Graham.

“Our Port requires a step change in investment to meet the demands of the booming Hawke’s Bay economy. We’re all incredibly proud of our region and our Port and now we need to decide how to pay for our Port’s growth.

“We have designed a robust democratic process which encourages all people in Hawke’s Bay to be well-informed and to have their say.

“Please look out for the submission forms in your letter boxes, consider and discuss the issues and the options and freepost it back by 15 November. In the meantime, please jump online at www.hbrc.govt.nz read all the information there and make a submission online.”

“There’s two more weeks for people to have their say on this important issue for our region and our Port – please make sure you have your say.”

Rex Graham says the Regional Council will consider all submissions, hold hearings in early December and make a decision on the Port funding option in the middle of December.

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