NEWS RELEASE
from Hutt City Council

5 February 2004

EXPO TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION

Hutt City Council will hold a two day expo on its 2004/05 Community Plan, to encourage greater participation in the planning process and as a way of highlighting the many services provided by Council.

The two day expo will be held in the Town Hall on Friday and Saturday 14-15 May.

Hutt City Mayor John Terris said that disappointing turnouts at Annual Plan meetings were a problem for most councils, and he was determined to look at any initiative that encouraged residents to take an interest in the future of their city.

"This Council spends nearly $90 million a year but unless there is a contentious or large capital project being considered people tend to not bother getting involved," said Mayor Terris.

"Good planning and decisionmaking is enhanced through the active participation of the community and there are people out there with great ideas. We want to hear from them.

"While Hutt City Council received more individual submissions than any other council on last year's Long Term Council Community Plan, we are keen to increase awareness of what Council does in the community," said Mayor Terris.

The expo will include displays and interactive presentations on everything from road maintenance to economic development, landfills to libraries. Council's key suppliers and contractors are also being asked to take part.

"We want the expo to be a fun way for the community to meet councillors and council staff, discuss key projects and find out more about all the things that Council does, which many people take for granted," said Mayor Terris.

There will be prize draws, giveaways and a councillor café where people can meet and talk to their councillors.

ENDS

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