MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Mayor Miccio and supporting Councillors respond to Rachel Reese.

A strategically timed media release from Mayoral candidate Rachel Reese has been refuted as blatant opportunistic politicking by current Mayor, Aldo Miccio, and a team of supporting Councillors.

Ms Reese’s article, claiming that the current Council fails to focus on essential infrastructure, was issued as Nelson and Tasman residents suffer the after affects of the weekend’s flooding.

Mayor Miccio expressed his dismay that Councillor Reese had completely disregarded the work Council staff and the CEO have completed over the last two years, especially when the last three months have been spent delivering a comprehensive core services focused budget. He says “Council has brought forward many programmes for core services including the Maitai duplicate pipe line, new pumping stations and various roading projects, we have allocated additional funding of $500,000 for storm water and flood protection in next year’s budget alone, and anybody can clearly see the level of work that has been completed in and around town over the last eight months.”

Deputy Mayor Ali Boswijk, supports Mayor Miccio’s statement, saying “To say that storm water and flood protection is not seen as a priority by Council is, in my mind, incorrect. During the annual planning process clear advice was given, by experienced staff, that an additional investment of $500,000 in the coming year is a sensible level in terms of continuing with the extensive programme that is already underway and bringing forward some projects for more urgent attention. There are, without doubt, areas that require work sooner than others and staff have a very clear picture of what and where these are." 

On viewing Councillor Reese’s media release Councillor Ruth Copeland said she was dismayed, “As a council we spent a disproportionate amount of time during the annual plan process focusing specifically on storm water, we are very focused on the issue and it's widening consequence on both financial and resource requirements. To distort the message as Councillor Reese has done in her media release is disheartening.”

Councillor Kate Fulton refuted Ms Reese’s claims saying “Addressing the damage caused by heavy rainfall events and future-proofing our region so there is less impact when these events occur has always been and will continue to be an absolute priority for the entire council.”

Councillor Pete Rainey agreed, saying "Councillor Reese has been present during all the discussions surrounding the annual plan decisions. She knows we have taken, and acted on, prudent advice surrounding storm water issues from key staff members. You could say her outburst on this issue is desperate politicking."

In response to Councillor Reese’s outburst, Mayor Miccio says, “Ms Reese’s claims that Council does not prioritise essential services has no substance, indeed we have in fact re prioritised essential works to deal with storm water and flood mitigation, currently completing critical works post the 2011 and April 2013 floods. This has resulted in some projects being brought forward and other non-essential projects being delayed. Decisions have not been taken lightly; we have relied on specialist advice from key staff members and independent engineers in order to put in place a comprehensive multiyear deliverable plan at full possible yearly capacity.”

ENDS

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