Paraparaumu Ward Council candidate K.(Guru) Gurunathan says he is pleased to see Mayoral candidate Chris Turver admit he cannot perform miracles because that’s exactly what will be needed to resolve the threat of devastation from the Sandhills Expressway faced by Takamore Maori, El Rancho and the neighbouring residents.
“This is why a growing section of the community are saying the Expressway has to be stopped,” says Mr Gurunathan.
“Mr Turver says he appreciates the confidence shown that he can get things done. That needs qualification. He has only done half the job. He led the campaign to rescue communities along the SH1. To be mayor he has to represent all the communities.”
Mr Gurunathan says, as a leading campaigner in getting NZTA to route the Expressway through the Western Link Road designation Mr Turver has a political and moral responsibility to a new set of communities and property owners under threat of devastation and loss of property value.
“Has he talked to the Takamore Maori, El Rancho and the neighbouring residents? If he has not he should make that a priority in his campaign.”
Mr Turver is right that “everybody is being kept in the dark about design plans” on the Expressway and that NZTA will not release them until after the local election on October 9. He also says he is committed to get the best operational and environmental outcomes of the project for Kāpiti.
“The community cannot afford Mr Turver’s advice and wait until NZTA releases its plans. To ensure Mr Turver does not continue to be isolated from the facts here’s a heads up: On September 16 KCDC is releasing a discussion document on Urban Form and Transport. It’s the most critical paper in the agenda of the District Plan Review.”
Mr Gurunathan says, “Simultaneously council will also be releasing details of the high-level objectives for Council’s engagement with NZTA on the Expressway project. NZTA has told me it wants to keep a keen eye on this review process. In fact they had wanted to shape the discussion document but council officers had wisely rejected that request.
“I look forward to the participation of Mr Turver and every other candidate in this process.”
