Subscribe to RSSBeehive Bins Waikato Petition
Parliament’s transport and industrial relations select committee has effectively binned the CBT petition signed by 11,5000 people calling for a Waikato-Auckland rail service.
The committee is chaired by National’s Hamilton East MP David Bennett, who has been vocal in his opposition to the train service and pushed the continuing development of the Waikato Expressway.
The committee insisted there was no need to act on the petition because it claimed local authorities in the Waikato had already rejected the idea.
Its decision reads:” The majority of us note that this service has recently been considered by the relevant local authorities and they decided not to establish such a service at this time, and therefore we have no matters to bring to the attention of the House.”
The Labour and Green members on the committee, who are in the minority, disagreed with the committee decision saying: “We are concerned that the view of 11,500 citizens has been dismissed by this committee, without the committee having access to any information with which to make this decision.
“We wanted to hear a submission from the petitioners so that we could consider their proposal. We also wanted to hear a response from the Ministry of Transport, so that the committee could assess the viability of such a service being established.
“We note that in the last term of Parliament, the previous committee heard a similar petition on recomissioning a rail service to Onehunga, which resulted in the Government agreeing to fund that service.”
Labour list MP Sue Moroney, who is on the committee, had presented the petition to parliament.
Labour's Sue Moroney collects petition at Hamilton ceremony a month ago
Hamilton city councillor Dave Macpherson, who supported the rail service, took issue with the statement the local bodies had already said no to the idea.
” Hamilton City Council support the service, it had allocated significant funds as its share towards the establishment costs, and the Regional Council (Environment Waikato) had the service specifically listed in its current Regional Land Transport Strategy. In addition, EW, HCC and the Waikato District Council have all yet to consider a number of submissions received (but not yet heard) in support of the rail service to Auckland.”
Members of the committee are:
Chairman David Bennett (N)
Deputy Jackie Blue (N)
Allan Peachey (N)
Michael Woodhouse (N)
Tau Henare (N)
Gareth Hughes (Greens)
Carol Beaumont (Lab)
Sue Moroney (Lab)
Darien Fenton (Lab)
10 Comments
Why am I not surprised that National would throw the views of a substantial number of people into the bin?
Looks like NZ will be stuck in the PT doldrums until such time as these dinosaurs are kicked out.
Well I can tell you this will not be forgotten and come the next general election I am sure it will be made a significant issue, and with the local National members, David Bennett and Tim McIndoe deciding to ignore the views of a significant number of local voters, I hope they get turned out on their bums!
*goes top buy spray paint to ruin the parliament buildings*
It’s pure arrogance and it has a distincly retro 90s feel to it. The CBT, Labour and the Greens need to keep hammering away at this.
Arrogance indeed, the smart thing to do would be to appear to consider, then dismiss, it…
This must be the most ridiculous reason for refusing to accept a petition……..
What’s central government for? If this is their way of operating they should resign.
We have a structure of governance whereby the local community have community boards answerable to Local Authorities for towns, cities and country regions. Above that for certain issues such as transport and town planning we have regional councils. Above that we have central government which passes laws and regulations at “The Top of the chain’ so to speak.
I think it was Environment Waikato here who were the damp squibs and said no to a subsidy to get the thing going. The Select Committee, says because they refused to support the service it wont receive a petition.
Surely in a democracy if the public, who pay these clowns by way of rates and taxes don’t agree their only recourse is to petition the higher authority…GOVERNMENT and they should accept it or GO!!!!
Richard
Shame shame, when’s election time?
This is a no brainer! The Capital Connection has been reported as performing better than all the long distance services, surely a Hamilton-Auckland service would out perform all and some.
Well, let me just tell you, and David Bennett…this issue is just grounding in. We have the support from the public and business community. EW has not said no, in fact submission hearings are later this month and CBT will be at them.
This is not stopping until the trains roll from Hamilton.
The select committee has made a bad call, which defies logic. In June CBT will be launching our next stage in the Waikato Trains NOW! campaign. EW councillors, including Cr. Baker should wisen up.
Jon Reeves – In Buenos Aires today.
@Jon R -In Buenos Aires today.
Hope you’re enjoying your Sth America holiday!