Marchers protest asset sales

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A small group of Mangawhai ratepayers against proposed asset sales marched through Mangawhai Heads to confront Commissioners during a meeting being held to hear submissions relating to the 2014/15 draft annual plan. 

The organised protest specifically targeted the proposed sale of ‘non-strategic’ council-owned property in the area and lack of consultation surrounding the issue. 

The majority of speakers at the April 29 meeting referred to this aspect of the plan.

Around 50 placard carriers and supporters, including a number of school children, marched from Alamar Cres to the Mangawhai Club to make their point to Commissioners who had been presiding over the DAP submissions meeting. 

Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association (MRRA) chairman Bruce Rogan, on behalf of the group, endorsed their dissatisfaction of the Council’s proposal to sell what ratepayers see as ‘their’ property and object to what they term as ‘asset-stripping’ within the Kaipara. 

This apart, some historical issues also still rankled. The MRRA see the commissioners as not-elected governors and, as the High Court decision on the Mangawhai EcoCare wastewater treatment scheme has yet to be delivered it was considered inappropriate for an annual plan to be implemented at this time.

The march and subsequent meeting was orderly and issues raised duly noted by the commissioners.

OUR LAND: A small group marched through Mangawhai with their anti-asset sales message.

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