It’s local body election time, and the candidates are subjecting themselves to a punishing schedule of meetings. With Celia Wade-Brown stepping down, the Mayoral election field appears to be wide open – and a number of the leading candidates have previously gone on record as supporting a Basin Reserve flyover.
So we think there are some important questions candidates need to be asked. Here are three suggested questions – but it’s always better to put them in your own words!
- What in your view should be the future of the Basin Reserve cricket ground?
- Do you rule out supporting the building of a flyover at or next to the Basin Reserve? If you won’t rule it out, under what circumstances would you support a Basin Reserve flyover?
- The scheduled completion of the Kapiti Expressway followed by Transmission Gully are forecast to flood Wellington with additional motorway-induced traffic from the north, including rush-hour commuter traffic. What measures do you propose to prevent this additional traffic degrading the liveability of inner-city Wellington and putting further pressure on Wellington’s transport system?
Of course, you may also have questions on other issues – for example, where do candidates stand on the proposed airport runway extension, or what’s their stance on light rail for Wellington, or what action do they plan to take on the threats climate change and sea level rise pose to Wellington?
The full schedule of local body election meetings is here: http://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/elections-2016/meet-the-candidates
If you are in the inner city, there are four meetings to choose from next week:
- Monday 12 September: Mt Victoria Residents’ Association meeting for Regional Council and Hospital Board candidates. Tararua Tramping Club, 4 Moncrieff St, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, 7-9pm.
- Tuesday 13 September: Wellington Scoop Mayoral Candidates’ Meeting: http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=91992. PreFab, 14 Jessie St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, 6-8pm.
- Wednesday 14 September: “Can Wellington be the greenest little capital?” Mayoral candidates’ debate: http://www.sustaintrust.org.nz/event/mayoral-debate-can-wellington-be-the-greenest-little-capital/. Sustainability Trust, Forresters Lane, Wellington, New Zealand, 5.30-7.30pm.
- Thursday 15 September: Mt Victoria Residents’ Association meeting for Mayoral and WCC Lambton Ward candidates. Tararua Tramping Club, 4 Moncrieff St, Mt Victoria, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, 7-9pm.