The Indian Weekender, 15 April 2022

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2 NEW ZEALAND Friday, April 15, 2022 The Indian Weekender HAPPY VAISAKHI! Christopher Luxon Leader of the Opposition Melissa Lee National MP National Party Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz christopherluxon.national.org.nz christopherluxon MPLee@parliament.govt.nz melissalee.co.nz mpmelissalee Authorised by Melissa Lee, National List MP, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
The Indian Weekender Friday, April 15, 2022 NEW ZEALAND 3 Petition to stop roadwork for proposed cycleway in Newtown gets underway VENU MENON IN WELLINGTON The Wellington City Council is hearing a petition submitted by local businesses to stop roadwork that will remove car parks to clear the way for a proposed cycleway linking Newtown to the city. In its issue dated March 25, 2022, Indian Weekender highlighted the resistance mounted by the business owners when the Council announced the move to restructure the roads in this suburb. Around 470 signatures were collected for a hybrid petition (paper and online) urging the Council to hold consultations with business owners from the area before bulldozers start rolling. The loss of parking will hit businesses along the John Adelaide and Riddiford intersection, a heritage stretch dating back over 80 years. “Wellington risks losing a heritage site,” says Urmila, who runs a grocery started by her parents more than 50 years ago. “Businesses in the area have funded a lot of the sprucing up of the heritage buildings. They have invested quite heavily in Newtown for that to be removed.” Urmila, under whose leadership the business owners in the area petitioned the Council, says the intersection is a transit area to get to other suburbs such as Island Bay, Kingston, Miramar and Kilbirnie. More critically, the area surrounds the local hospital and auxiliary medical services, such as blood testing and imaging, will be disrupted if cars are not allowed to park in the vicinity. Patient and outpatient flow to the hospital will be affected as a result. “These changes result from several years of planning and policy work that has involved substantial public consultation and engagement,” Council chief planning officer Liam Hodgetts told local media. Wellington risks losing a heritage site. So that’s the issue. No consultation, no democracy. And New Zealand is a democracy, not an autocracy. We were told it was a trial, but it’s becoming permanent But Urmila disagrees. “There was no consultation from the getgo,” she claims. The review process was triggered after business owners approached the Council with their petition. There is also a lack of clarity around whether the cycleway is a trial. “We were told it was a trial, but it’s becoming permanent,” Urmila Businesswoman Urmila says. The petition submitted by the business owners could force a fresh vote in the Council. If councillors vote to go ahead with the cycleway without consultation ( or “further” consultation, as the case may be), the bulldozers will start to roll next week. For Urmila, democracy is on the test. “So that’s the issue. No consultation, no democracy. And New Zealand is a democracy, not an autocracy,” she says. Smart money choices made simple. We’ll help you find the sweetest mortgage deal whether it’s your first home or investment property, and arrange the best insurance to suit your needs. Mortgage services Home loans Construction loans Refinances and restructures Top ups & debt consolidation Commercial & Business loans Insurance Life, Trauma Medical/Health General Business Income Protection Call us today 0800 21 22 23 86 Highbrook Drive, Level East 1, Tamaki, 3/53 Cavendish Auckland Drive 2103 Manukau
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The Indian Weekender, 15 April 2022

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