Media release
VAN -- Valley Action Network
20 August, 2007

Valley Action Network wants Hutt City to become a Human City

VAN -- Valley Action Network, a new grassroots coalition standing for Hutt City Council in elections this October, today announced its policy for a Human City.

"Our vision of a Human City is a positive alternative to tired, old, business-as-usual policies", declared VAN spokesperson Grant Brookes.

"The Mayoral candidates leading the other council tickets all support the current economic model, with or without some minor tinkering", says Grant.

"This model puts property developers and other big businesses before people. VAN, on the other hand, stands for change.

"We say, people should vote VAN if they want:

* A Human City -- Putting people before big business interests * A Green City -- Action on climate change. Zero tolerance for polluters * Grassroots Democracy -- Community Boards for all, with extra powers * Rates Justice -- Reductions based on need. Low-income families before greedy corporations * Free Council Services -- Not just protected but extended * Free and Frequent Public Transport -- It makes climate sense and serves the people."

The Human City policy, reprinted below, is VAN's second policy release.

The group will be putting detailed statements on all its policies in front of voters and on its website (www.huttvan.org.nz) before the election.

In order to vote in the Hutt City Council elections, people need to be on the electoral roll. Hutt residents who are eligible to vote and who have not received an enrolment pack in the mail have until this Friday to enrol or update their enrolment details.

Enrolment forms are available at PostShops, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or by freetexting your name and address to 36 76. Those who haven’t enrolled by this Friday will need to request a ‘special declaration’ voting paper from the electoral officer at Hutt City Council.

Postal voting takes place from 21 September to 13 October.

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A Human City -- Putting people before big business interests

After two decades of radical reforms, market forces have entered every area of New Zealand society. Business power and profits have grown while the people are pushed into the background.

We say, enough is enough. The pendulum has swung too far. Big businesses and wealthy individuals have too much say.

Take property developers. Whether it’s high rise buildings going up, historic buildings coming down or the spread of in-fill housing, people are living in the shadow of the big developers.

It's the same with other big businesses. Under the guise of “economic development”, Hutt City Council offers massive rates reductions for big corporations while spending our rates to subsidise artificial business growth.

It listens to the corporate road-building lobby, not popular feeling in favour of public transport.

It works with local educators to push training in the narrow set of skills demanded by employers, at the expense of learning for life.

The Council says these policies are needed to stop job losses and attract new businesses to the Hutt. But competing with other councils over who can be the most “business friendly” fuels a race to the bottom.

Environmental protection, social justice and democracy are sacrificed to the god of profit.

Protecting heritage buildings is part of creating a community secure in its own history. To prepare for the future, we must know the momentous struggles and successes of the ordinary people who came before us.

Our young people are not a "problem". They are the future of our community, with the same right as everyone else to have their voices heard and their needs met.

The Council talks a lot about anti-social behaviour and standards of citizenship, particularly for the young.

What about insisting on good corporate citizenship for companies, like respecting people and the environment? They say they want a city that meets the needs of business. We say, we want business that meets the needs of the city.

VAN -- Valley Action Network knows that turning the money changers out of the temple won’t be easy, or quick. But we’ll start by:

* Fighting for rates justice, so big corporations pay their fair share.

* Backing residents battling big property developers, particularly low-income people who don’t have influential connections and can’t afford flash lawyers.

* Working with community boards to push for more democratic powers over rogue developers.

* Linking up with authorities and campaigners elsewhere to promote economic development based on cooperation, not competition, to stop the race to the bottom.

* Speaking out about bad corporate behaviour.

* Supporting trade unions in holding bad employers to account.

* Supporting forums and social activities for young people, organised by young people themselves.

ENDS

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