Council agrees to delay decision on Harry Shaw Way

Residents of Harry Shaw Way in Raumati have succeeded in getting council to delay making a decision on whether to revoke the reserve status of a vacant section in their street.

Several residents addressed council meeting and asked that the reserve status not be removed because they are concerned this would open the way for the land to be used for a through road to a future subdivision..

The property is one of number of sites purchased by council for the Western Link Road but because the road didn’t eventuate it was agreed it be sold to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for the Expressway project.

The reserve status must be revoked before that can happen.

After a lengthy discussion councillors agreed to delay making a decision on the revocation while more information was sought from NZTA about the agency’s plans for the area of vacant land between the Expressway, Poplar Avenue and the residential area to the west of Matai Road.

Mayor Ross Church says the decision was a good example of democracy in action.

“We’ve previously had a 140 signature petition from the Harry Shaw residents and yesterday a number showed up and addressed council.  We listened, took their views seriously and will be seeking more information on this matter before making a decision.

“The residents were thoughtful and constructive in their arguments and I am confident that Council was equally thoughtful in looking for a solution,” Mayor Church said.

Council spent two hours yesterday hearing public concerns about a number of issues. As well as the residents of Harry Shaw Way, councillors also heard from a number of speakers on the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

The group were speaking to a recommendation from the Paekākāriki Community Board that council adopt a 12 point resolution on the proposed TPPA. The statement asked the Government to conclude negotiations on the TTPA “in a way that provides net positive benefits for the Kapiti district and New Zealand.”

Council voted six to five to adopt the resolution, which has been adopted by other councils throughout the country.