Lyttelton 'consultation' offensive

Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson says it is offensive for the Government to claim it intends consulting with community organisations on reclamation work at Port Lyttelton when it has already announced today that it is fast-tracking the proposal.

“Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Environment Minister Nick Smith said today that the Government was using its extraordinary powers to fast-track the reclamation, using rubble from the quakes, but that consent was subject to specific consultation with a number of groups, including Ngāi Tahu, the Lyttelton-Mt Herbert Community Board, the NZ Historic Places Trust and Diamond Harbour Community Associations,” Ruth Dyson said.

“It can hardly be called consultation when you have already made up your mind what you are going to do.”

Ruth Dyson said the decision was not about restoring Lyttelton to normal as a port, but about extending the port.

“That’s why it’s so important the process is transparent,” she said.

“It’s important that there is an independent assessment on the environmental impact of the Government’s plan. That’s clearly not going to happen, as far as Gerry Brownlee and Nick Smith are concerned.

“It is also essential that a proper transport management plan is developed,” Ruth Dyson said. There will be a huge increase in traffic in what is already a really busy area. No thought seems to have been given to this basic need.”