Mayor defends decision to support Alliance

Mayor Jenny Rowan has defended her decision to support the Council joining the NZTA Alliance to build the new motorway through Kāpiti.

I know this is very upsetting to a number of groups and green voters who have supported me over the years - but I am still of the opinion that it is better to be “in the tent” than out of it.

“If we don’t position ourselves to be part of the decision-making team – we effectively walk away from our community and fail to represent them.  I don’t think this is acceptable and believe it could have disastrous consequences for the District.

“In joining the Alliance, we are doing so knowingly and cautiously – we will have to agree with a set of objectives along with the other partners.  If the process is not a good one, and is not undertaken in good faith we will consider our options - including the option to withdraw.”  

“I am as devastated as anyone about the government’s decision to back the Sandhills Motorway.  Together with Council staff and many Councillors.  I have worked tirelessly, and at considerable personal cost, to oppose it and to present a more viable and sustainable option for the District.  Clearly we were not successful and we now need to move on.

“This said, I am now very heartened to see a number of groups making their views known on this issue.  I encourage them to keep doing so.  I also encourage as many people as possible to join with us and have a say on issues and bottom lines they’d like to see addressed with the new road.  

What I know is that the Minister is determined to build this road – this has been abundantly clear from minute one.  I also know that a significant number of people in the district have lost patience with the lack of progress on the matter.  Furthermore, at this stage, the Council does not have a mandate to spend well over $1million of ratepayers money fighting it. 

If we stay outside the Alliance process and then take a case to the Board of Inquiry we could find ourselves winning the case and loosing all the Government funding to build any sort of a road.  Then, we will be back at square one - with no funding and the public possibly waiting another 30 years for a road.

For more information contact Jenny Rowan 027 205 3600