Opportunity to put their case in person taken by hundreds
Councillors Sally Buck and Norm Withers listen as disability advocate Philip Haythornthwaite makes a point about bus stop design. Mr Haythornthwaite's submission on the draft long-term community plan points out where he thinks changes are needed to make public transport more useful for people with disabilities. He came into the Civic Offices on 30 May to emphasise his points.
Cr Buck said councillors agreed with some of his ideas, and especially about the need to ensure low-floor buses are operating at peak times. "But that's an ECan responsibility and we've made that point to them."
Several submitters have asked for Council assistance or effort in health and education,areas which Cr Barry Corbett said are not traditionally the responsibility of local government. Mayor Garry Moore said the Council is gathering up these submissions and will pass them on to the Ministries and bodies which need to hear them. "This process is a good indicator of community views and where people have opinions that need to be heard by others, we will ensure that's done," he said.
- The public hearings will run until 9 June.
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