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Save Maraetai Protest Votes for Democracy

Sunday 15 June 2008, 9:14PM

By Garth Dawson

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Save Maraetai Protest Meeting Votes for Democracy
Save Maraetai Protest Meeting Votes for Democracy Credit: Garth Dawson

MANUKAU CITY

June 15 2008


News Release


Save Maraetai Protest Meeting Votes for Democracy

On Saturday, over 150 people turned up at Maraetai Reserve to protest the recent environmental vandalism and lack of democracy on the decision to lay a concrete walkway across the front of Maraetai reserve and along Te Pene point.
The residents unanimously voted to continue the fight for democracy, to not only be heard, but also to have their reasonable request actioned.
Earlier in the week, the residents failed in a bid to stop the concrete being laid, with WW2 Spitfire fighter pilot Brian Black saying “why did I fight Hilter, when we’ve got this coming on?”.
“The extent of the impact of the walkway on the Maraetai environment is only now being understood” said protest leader Chris Shirley. “Only on Friday did we manage to obtain documents detailing the proposed works. Not only do we have a ugly grey concrete path spoiling what was once a great park, there is a 50m2 deck being built over the grass at Te Pene point. Beside the deck a 1m wide by 6m long stone filled structure – referred to on the Manuaku City Council plans as a Nodal Marker is also being built.”
“Why hasn’t the council told the local residents about these significant structures?” continued Mr Shirley, “Why did we find out about them after the environment has been vandalised? Is this democracy in action or bureaucracy out of control?”

Ends

Garth Dawson
Save Maraetai
0211794235