What this group in Thorndon has seen in the last two days is unbelievable, and should be unacceptable. Still, Siobhan Proctor and Barbara McKerrow of the executive leadership team at Wellington Council are rolling on, killing businesses and ruining lives in Thorndon. Are there other ways?
And the work on pipes has yet to begin, and this is the first stretch of work. Proctor says the average time of business destruction is 12 weeks. But it’s already been 24 weeks in many stretches. Bedpost a previously successful bed retailer’s footpath was completely blocked and their trade is now down 65%.
It should be against the City’s charter to treat retailers like this. In the meeting between Thorndon and Council, a retailer said he couldn’t survive any longer, Procter suggested he speak to his landlord when the retailer said, my landlords are my parents, the room went quiet and on they ploughed!
Like a slow-motion train wreck picking up speed, and is set to do as much destruction, as it can to families, businesses and a community.
Without much consultation, a court battle that went to the top, and that is in the court of appeal, Thorndon business and residents vs Barbara McKerrow, Siobahn Procter and WCC legal might, and an out-of-control set of contractors directed by Wellington Council.
It has to be said that the contractors are not at fault, they are doing a contract, and they’re making a living.
So the roadies and the crews, huge shout out to you, big mana for the mahi that you put in under difficult and sometimes hostile circumstances.
So, here we all are, starting a conversation with the council and the decision-makers about the impacts that this is having on a community.
Can WCC learn? Can they listen? Or is Wellington destined to end up like Picton, a nice seaside town, with a beautiful vibe and bugger all going on other than the ferry and some beautiful locals?
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