Mayor Bob Parker steps up his re-election campaign

Thursday, 22 July 2010 04:50

This week Bob Parker stepped up his re-election campaign with the launch of 30 and 60 second radio ads outlining his pledge to keep rate increases low, ensure the city’s streets are safe and a 100% commitment to the job of Mayor.

In the radio campaign Mayor Parker outlines the key initiatives that he and his council have implemented over the past three years.

Bob Parker says, “It’s really important that ratepayers are reminded of some of the great initiatives this council has introduced. These include putting a sustainable plan in place to ensure our city thrives into the future.

“I have been involved in some controversial decisions and I acknowledge that. I also know I have to be more transparent. But too often controversial decisions overshadow the great work we have done over the past three years.

“Some major successes include the three bin waste system, and cleaning up the estuary with the state of the art ocean outfall. We have made our streets safer and also secured hundreds of millions of dollars from central government to solve the roading congestion problems.  Most important we have kept rate increases below 4% and I commit to keeping them at this level or below for the next 10 years.

“There are some fantastic community initiatives that are now built into the future plans of our city. These include a new major aquatic centre, five new community libraries and one central library, three new community centres – one each in Belfast, Halswell and Aranui, a children’s swimming pool at Pioneer Stadium and a new indoor multisport stadium, particularly useful for Canterbury’s netball community.

“I have read all of Mr Anderton’s election promises to date and I am struggling to find any new initiatives that this Council is not doing or has not said they would do.

“Mr Anderton talks about working in partnership with the business community and the government to build employment opportunities. We are already doing that.

“I am on the board of the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC), the economic development arm of the Christchurch City Council, and we have developed a robust economic development strategy on behalf of the Christchurch City Council (CCC).

“Over the past twelve months the city has undertaken wide-ranging research and economic modelling to understand the economic environment, the make-up of the Christchurch economy and what makes it distinct. This model has been refined by engaging with over 650 Christchurch businesses to understand their drivers, constraints and long-term business goals.

“The public consultation on this strategy has been extensive.
“In addition to consulting business, CDC has run over 20 workshops typically involving between 10 and 20 people from a wide cross section of the community. They have also presented to service organisations, various government agencies locally and stakeholders, including Christchurch MPs.
“The goal of the economic development strategy is to make Christchurch more globally competitive, double the wages of workers within 10 years and create more jobs. As Mayor I will work hard to support and promote this strategy.

“The strategy will be presented to Christchurch City Council for endorsement tomorrow and clearly I am very supportive of this initiative,” says Mayor Bob Parker.

“It’s all very well for Mr Anderton to make promises that he will improve the city’s economy, but under my leadership Council is already moving very positively to ensure the city’s long-term economic well-being, alongside business and central government.”

-Ends-

For further information:

Bob Parker –  027 443 4575 or Erin Jamieson –  021 743 237