Media release

Auckland Councillor for Orakei Cameron Brewer

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

68% percent of Aucklanders wanted berm mowing continued

Auckland Councillor Cameron Brewer has dug up documents given to the Mayor and councillors in May that showed over two-thirds of Aucklanders who submitted on berm mowing during the draft 2013/14 Annual Plan process supported the retention of berm mowing in the former Auckland City area.

“Out of nearly 500 submissions specifically on berms from across the region only 26% wanted the service axed. A compelling 68% of Aucklanders wanted the service retained. Very strong support for the service being retained came from residents in the likes of the Waitemata, Orakei, Albert-Eden-Roskill, and Maungakiekie-Tamaki wards but there was also plenty of recorded support from right across the region – north, south, east and west,” says Cameron Brewer.

“A clear majority of people warned councillors in their submissions what would happen if this service was axed and reminded us the berms are the council’s property and therefore its responsibility. But the public was totally ignored and completely dismissed with Mayor Len Brown and most councillors voting to do the complete opposite.

“The concerning thing is the $30m proposal for a whitewater rafting facility in Manukau didn’t get anywhere near the same public support during the Annual Plan submission process as retaining berm mowing but that outrageously got pushed through despite it being 10 times more expensive. What that shows is that pork barrel politics is alive and well at Auckland Council.

“Residents across the region warned the Mayor and councillors of the consequences six months ago, but the Mayor and the likes of City Vision and Labour councillors chose to completely ignore a concerned public. At the time the politicians said they knew better, but it’s now clear they didn’t, and subsequently some will be out of a job come Saturday,” says Cameron Brewer.

Ends

Attached: Strategy & Finance Committee papers, 9 May 2013 – summary p84, paragraph 23.
strategyandfinancecomaga20130509.pdf

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