Western News: September 24, 2019

30 Tuesday September 24 2019
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
WESTERN NEWS
Paul Lonsdale
Is Christchurch shaping up as the city you want it to be?
I am running for Council because I believe we
can do better. Much better.
Halswell is growing fast and we need to
manage that growth. I have lived in this area
most of my life, and I have seen our traffic
become more congested, flooding challenges
increase and water quality decrease.
As an independent Council candidate who
has proven ability of getting things done, I
will represent your voice and not be swayed
by Wellington politics. We need to get back to
better local representation.
With many years of management and
governance experience I have the
knowledge and skills to make our rate
money go further. With your support, I will
work hard to ensure our community’s voice
is heard and that we get a better deal for
Halswell at the council table.
I was instrumental in setting up the Re:Start
I am running
for council because
I believe we can
do better.
Much better.
Mall and managing the Central City Business
association during the earthquakes before
serving on the Council from 2013 to 2016.
During my term I helped establish the
Otautahi Community Housing Trust, led
changes to fix the Council’s building consent
process as well as gained funding for many
local projects in my ward.
We need a council that is living within its
means again. We cannot sustain the rate rises
that are projected, and I believe we can get
better value for our money.
Communities like Halswell need local
representatives who can get a better deal for
them to address issues like traffic congestion,
water quality, and how future growth is
planned for and delivered.
I have the skills, knowledge, and
experience to get a better deal for
Halswell and Christchurch.
Key Priorities
If elected I will not be under the thumb of Wellington politics and I will restore
local leadership at a local level. Over this last three years we have seen –
Indecision – No Decision – and Poor Decision all of which have increased your
rates and I know we can do better – much better.
I want to bring back action-orientated decision making to drive this city
forward and to stop wasting money.
I am standing on four policy platforms with the fifth being
Sustainability that overarches them all:
1. Cleaner Water
I have lived in this area most of my life, and I have seen our water quality
decrease. We can do better – much better.
2. Lower Rates
With many years of management and governance experience, I will start from
day one working on ways to make our rate money go further.
3. A Safer Haslwell
As a former Chair of the Safer Christchurch committee, I have seen growing
crime and insecurity in our suburbs in the past three years.
4. Financial Responsibility
City Council should be providing the core services to a good standard
before investing the “nice to have” items with our rates money.
I believe a better future is when:
We can look at Christchurch and see a place
that we are proud to call home as New
Zealand’s second largest city. We can see that
it offers the next generation the opportunity
to live, work and raise a family here.
We know we have the opportunity to
grow, but we need to ensure growth is at
a sustainable rate and accessible for future
generations to enjoy.
I want to lift the aspirations and restore pride
back to this great city of ours.
Over this last three years we have seen Council
indecision – and more often than not, making
poor decisions. This has led to increased rates.
I know we can do better – much better. That is
why I am focused on sustainably delivering:
Accepting an award for the Re:Start Container Mall project I was involved in
Paul LONSDALE
Independent for Halswell