Headline: Council bound to deliver government vision of new CBD
Today’s agreement between the Government and Christchurch City Council could tie ratepayers to the Government’s vision for the CBD with little room for local input, Labour’s Earthquake Recovery spokesperson Lianne Dalziel says.
“While Labour welcomes progress, we have serious reservations about exactly what ratepayers are being drawn into.
“Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee today confirmed that it is the ‘public sector’ vision of the CBD that will drive the process from here.
“The people of Christchurch apparently have no say in the matter.”
Lianne Dalziel said it was concerning that such a major announcement was made without the ground work being accessible to the public.
“At a minimum the Cabinet papers relating to this plan should be released.
Lianne Dalziel said that the decision to make the announcement the day after the Minister appeared at Parliament’s Finance & Expenditure Committee was disappointing.
“If the Minister had made the announcement yesterday, MPs would have been able to ask the questions that remain unanswered.
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