Public meeting in wake of evictions – Community nothing but ‘bypass’ fodder

CBC will hold a public meeting tomorrow, 12th August, to discuss the next steps over the ‘bypass’ following Transit's continuing attacks on the Te Aro community. Despite the bypass being under review Transit is again evicting tenants along the bypass route.

CBC understands that as well as Mike Murray at 289 Cuba Street, a number of Transit’s other business tenants including the Vintage Clothing Company and Hardie Boys Ginger Beer are also to be removed. “Transit appears to be treating the upcoming review of the project as a rubber stamping process. The project is up in the air but Transit is chucking people out on the street on the off-chance that it might start the project some time in the future. This continues Transit’s appalling treatment of the Te Aro community” said CBC spokesperson Alan Whiting.

"Transit has whole rows of badly deteriorated (and untenanted) buildings which are in much more urgent need of attention." said Mr Whiting. "The Environment Court said the historic Tonks cottages ought to stay in place if possible - these are obvious priorities for maintenance - yet that whole historic street is being left to rot at present. These latest evictions are simply an excuse to clear the community out of the way."

Transit New Zealand evicted Tonks Avenue tenants in February 2002. Since then buildings have deteriorated badly. Mr Whiting said Transit is now attacking what remains of the local community and described their latest move as "desperate, bully-boy tactics.

Community Consultation a Sham

Late in 2001, Transit invited some members of the local community to join its Community Advisory Group (C.A.G.). Notably absent from the list of invitees were the majority of Transit’s tenants - the people who would be most adversely affected by the project. After three meetings in August, October and December 2001, Transit abandoned meetings of the group without explanation. Alan Whiting: “Since then, Transit’s communication with the community has consisted of glitzy brochures followed by eviction notices. Their efforts at community consultation have been a sham. The Community Advisory Group meetings achieved absolutely nothing – all they did was waste people’s time and the taxpayers’ money. Transit has shown a blatant disregard for the local community.”

Public Meeting welcomes community input

Mr Whiting said the meeting would look at ways that various part of the community can work together to ensure that they can triumph over the bulldozer mentality of Transit and the City Council. He said “Wellington City and Transit need to look at how it treats people like Mike Murray who are heralded as honoured artists one week but are treated as nothing but ‘bypass’ fodder the next.”

Public Meeting - Thistle Hall (Cnr Arthur and Cuba Sts) 7.30pm Tues 12th August

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