Ashburton candidates plead their case

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Pot holes, second bridge, and rates.

There were no surprises in what the big three topics for discussion were at the Ashburton Citizens Association’s meet the candidates on Sunday.

The Mayoral, Ashburton ward and Environment Canterbury candidates all had three minutes to pitch their case to the crowd of over 200 before the floor was opened to question time.

At times it felt less like a job interview for the candidates than a complaints session, with sitting mayor Neil Brown having to front up with answers and explanations, with his opponent, Jeff Swindley, unable to attend.

Most candidates touched on pot holes and the state of the roads being a key concern, but few solutions were put forward.

Carol Johns said an option of deferring non-essential projects, such as the Baring Square East upgrade, could free up money for roading repairs.

Former councillor Russell Ellis said the state of the roads were something every candidate would strive to get better “but it is a very difficult task and one that frustrates us all”.

Keeping rates rises in check was also a common thread but was often followed with potential new projects.

Not surprisingly, the need for a second urban bridge was also a hot topic.

Council candidate Bev Skates didn’t hold back, saying the council was “pussy footing” around the second bridge issue and we shouldn’t be “begging for money” to build it.

Skates also railed against rate rises but later reeled off a list of projects she believed the council should undertake, including a trampoline arena. But none of her ideas included more funding for our roads, to which a member of the crowd questioned “where does this fit with your rates reduction?”.

David Stewart asked the candidates to pronounce the new name for the council’s new library and civic centre - Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.

“Wouldn’t Ashburton be a lot simpler than the name you have got now, which is about 50 letters long?,” Stewart asked.

The question received laughter and applause and was handled with aplomb by existing councillor Leen Braam, saying the name was a gift from Arowhenua and if people don’t like it they could just call it the library and civic centre.

The fireworks were set off by retiring councillor Stuart Wilson, a member of the audience, calling out ECan candidate Peter Trolove’s claims around nitrates as “rubbish”, with the two verbally sparring over the issue.

Other questions included what candidates plan to do to increase accessibility, how the UN agenda 2030 impacted candidates' decision making, and Māori wards.

The only time Tony Todd spoke after his introduction was to criticise co-governance, which he said was “totally undemocratic”.

Co-governance is the Crown meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and giving Māori seats around the decision-making table, and is about governance not ownership.

Phill Hooper was asked about the increasing use of te reo and said it is a beautiful language. He also agreed with Act leader David Seymour that it was a shame it was being “forced’’ upon some people and should happen organically.