It seems there are only a few fighting to save democracy at Tauranga City Council.

Attacks are coming from everywhere; from ratepayers, from a local elected Central Government representative and from Central Government itself which is very disappointing.

And then from developers, who have gone to extraordinary lengths, promoting a Mayor that had very little experience or idea of how to facilitate a democratic forum, to further their interests pushing democracy aside. An absolute disgrace.

Tauranga City Council rates highly (excuse the pun) amongst other NZ city councils with the three water services and providing other essential services and facilities for the fastest growing city, percentage-wise in NZ, along with a democracy that represents all residents' wants and needs, from the most trivial to the most ambitious.

You don't have to look far to see where the real problems lie; Takitumu North Link delayed by four years so far – Central Government; Tauriko Industrial and Tauriko West Residential – Central Government; Baypark and Te Maunga Go Slow – Central Government; Rangiuru Park and Papamoa East interchange – Not Tauranga City; The premature bus and cycle lanes smogging and clogging our transport corridors – regional and Central Government directives.

I know when times are uncertain and residents are fearful it is natural to want centralisation, but to throw democracy out in the process – come on.

Doug Morris, Te Puna, Foundation chair of the Papamoa Progressive Association