Save Maraetai Support Increases Daily

18 Jun. 08

News Release

Over 800 People Register on Save Maraetai Website

Over 800 concerned people have registered their disgust on www.savemaraetai.co.nz over the environmental vandalism carried out by Manukau City Council at Maraetai. The number of supporters growing daily.
The website was set up by concerned local residents two weeks ago after the surprise of a concrete walkway being laid along the front of Maraetai Reserve and Te Pene point, and the construction of a 50m2 deck and 6m long Kaiaua stone nodal marker on Te Pene point.
The arrival of diggers and construction equipment was the first the residents of Maraetai knew about what the Council had planned for the walkway from Maraetai wharf to Te Pene point.
“The Council has said that the community were consulted on the walkway” said protest organiser Chris Shirley, “there has been no discussion at all on the design options for Maraetai and Te Pene point. Only now have we managed to obtain copies of the detailed drawings of the project. The Council only last week put a copy of the concept drawings on their website. Is this Councils version of consultation?”
“Is pressure to complete the work in this financial year also reason to ignore the consultation process?” continued Mr Shirley, “and why should Manukau Parks be surprised at the heated opposition to the footpaths? There was limited debate at all on the plans for the Maraetai/Te Pene section of the walkway. Nor was there any communication of the final plans back to the community. It is interesting that Dr Whyte should point the finger at the Clevedon Community Board, when they themselves had no idea of the extent of the planned works. Maraetai is proud of its coastal character – uncluttered with concrete and pretence, and has always fought to retain its character.”

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Garth Dawson
SaveMaraetai
0211794235