Only a couple of consents stand in the way of Western Bay District Council's privatisation of a chunk of Te Puke's central Jubilee Park.
The process by which we've readied this lamentable situation cannot be called open or transparent or democratic. Local government NZ starts with the dismal turnout of voters (around one third of eligibles). This disinterest is reflected in (aggravated by?) inadequate media scrutiny. Compare coverage of national politics.
Instead of devising smarter ways of tapping into what the people want, local governments tend to exploit disinterest to do what they want.
Against this background, three years ago WBDC determined that Te Puke wanted a ‘new town centre'. Artwork pictured some retail development around one large stakeholder on the park; a broad walkway (touted for Farmers Markets) to main street; a new library/community centre; plus professional development of remaining open parkland.
The project then went underground for negotiation with private capital.
Years later, the outcome gradually emerges. Council is selling public land, handy to mainstreet, to one of the country's supermarket duopolists. Just the size they need, plus parking. The walkway/plaza proceeds, and the professional park development (new termed ‘community reserve'). No new library/community centre. No details re costs of relocating displaced community organisations – St Johns, Plunket, Toy Library, Rangiuru Football Club. Nor costings for Commerce Lane development necessitated by locating a supermarket on the thinly populated north side of the problematic SH2/main street. Democracy? Doesn't feel like it.
Colin Marshall, Te Puke.