Include Communities in the rebuilding process

No decisions should be made about future land use without genuine consultation and community engagement with the residents affected, mayoral candidate Jim Anderton is urging.

He says communities fear being left out of decisions that will directly affect their lives.
“Council needs to heed the warnings and requests of people whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake.

“Communities need confidence in the process and that will only happen if they feel included in the decision-making. There’s a huge sense of loss that comes from not only losing your home, but potentially the community you lived in and were once part of.

“For many residents in the hardest hit areas of the city, a feeling of helplessness is setting in while major decisions over the rebuilding process are being debated by the Government, EQC, Insurance Companies and Council officials.

“People are desperate to have a say in how their lives will be rebuilt and restored. Cherished homes, gardens and communities have been ripped apart by the earthquake and this is affecting people’s sense of security and belonging.

“The Council should also hold full Council meetings with the local Community Board and residents in their own communities, on future rebuilding and to talk about remediation and compensation issues.

“Weekly Council meetings should also be held to hear reports on the problems seriously affected areas of Christchurch are facing, what problems remain unsolved and what actions can be taken. The meetings should be open to the public and the media.

“I have already outlined my plan, if elected Mayor, to make greater use of the community boards as they are closer to the real grass roots issues across the city. Now, more than ever, the Council must empower them to make more decisions and rely on their local expertise and make it easier for groups and individuals to have their say.

“We need to change the Council’s focus from communication to proper consultation and community engagement, by encouraging open dialogue underpinned by trust and openness”, Jim Anderton said.

ENDS

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