Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger has responded to criticism over the city’s draft transport plan, the escalating costs of street upgrades, and ongoing frustration around chlorine in the city’s water supply.
Speaking to Chris Lynch Media, Mauger said he understood concerns raised by prominent developer Richard Peebles, who questioned the need for a new transport plan when the current 30-year strategy is already in place.
“I feel his pain. He is right. There is a 30-year plan in place which is roughly halfway through, so I certainly understand his frustration,” Mauger said.
Peebles claimed the draft plan was being pushed by Council transport staff as part of an “anti-car” agenda without clear leadership or oversight.
“I can see how he gets that point of view,” Mauger said. “We’ll work our way through it together and see what we can come up with.”
Mauger defended his decision to vote against street upgrades around the new Metro Sports Facility.
“Contrary to popular belief, I actually support the cycleway down there because it’s important — it’s a missing link,” he said. “But I am against the cost of it.”
He said a recent $1.2 million blowout, bringing the total cost to $5 million, was too much.
“We haven’t got a bottomless pit of money,” he said.
When asked about criticism that other major projects, such as the stadium, seemed to have unlimited budgets, Mauger said public support remained strong.
“With the stadium coming out of the ground, everyone’s got a spring in their step. I think it’s going to be the greatest thing for the city.”
Mauger also responded to last week’s Council decision to include a push to remove chlorine from Christchurch’s water supply as part of its submission on a Government water bill.
“It doesn’t do any harm to put it in there,” he said. “The water regulator makes the rules, and we have to abide by them, but there’s a very tiny glimmer of hope that if we stick with our own system, we might have a chance to work with the regulator and reduce chlorine at some sites.”
Mauger also responded to comments from Councillor Melanie Coker, who accused him of failing to show leadership by rejecting the Metro Sports street upgrades.
“She should try sitting where I sit sometimes,” Mauger said. “There’s a lot going on, and I think showing leadership is about not wasting ratepayers’ money on things that don’t need it.”
