Thursday 27th May should be remembered as the day a handful of Local Government Councillors took it upon themselves to pass a raft of changes to the rules governing public participation in Council meetings.
These changes will allow them to shut down public involvement in the decision making process as and when they see fit.
The changes, when viewed against the Local Government Act relating to community consultation, are completely out of step with the spirt and intent of the Act which is to encourage public consultation and participation!
Wellington Regional Council have acted in a totally undemocratic manner by seeking to deny the public the right to be heard and they should be instructed by the Minister for Local Government to immediately drop the changes.
Graham Griffiths
Save Our Hills Action Group
0212 671 758