I would like to take this opportunity to thank our City Councillors for saving our inner-city greenspace. All but one voted to drop the sales process. For listening and making a common sense decision, we, and future generations, thank you. Once lost, this greenbelt entrance to our city would have been forever lost. However the job is not quite finished. We now need to establish a “reserve” status for this land, so that future councils can’t repeat the expensive fiasco that proceeded this sensible outcome.

Community Amenities Group’s (CAG) aspirations for our City

My support of CAG’s aspirational vision for our city (including a downtown stadium at the Domain) is definitely not in conflict with my call for Council to stick to their core business. My 14th August editorial in the Weekend Sun clearly quoted from the 2002 Local Government Act, and its subsequent amendment in 2010. The 2010 Amendment (and I quote) “encourages councils to focus on core services by requiring councils to have particular regard to the contribution to their communities of:

• network infrastructure

• public transport services

• solid waste collection and disposal

• the avoidance and mitigation of natural hazards; and

• libraries, museums, reserves, recreational facilities, and other community infrastructure”

These “core services” completely align with the aspirations of CAG. We now have a wonderful opportunity to revitalise our City Centre. Please Councillors – accept the intent, and let’s get it done with urgency. Finally we have a vision that we can all be proud of.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me at andrew@vond.co.nz