Lower Hutt's action on climate change questioned, as long-term plan consultation starts
Lower Hutt residents can from next week have their say on the city's future including proposals to double spending on infrastructure and increase rates but some locals have already raised concerns about the action its taking against climate change. On Wednesday, Hutt City councillors voted unanimously in favour of beginning public consultation on the councils draft long-term plan next Tuesday. It has budgeted to invest $582 million between 2021 and 2031 on its water network and $353 million on transport projects and increase rates revenue by 5.9 per cent during the next year. However, the hot topic at Wednesday's meeting, appeared to be climate change, with councillors hearing two submissions from members of the public on the issue. READ MORE: * Stoush brewing over Lower Hutt museum's promotion of graffiti exhibition * Upper Hutt Council increasing debt to pay for infrastructure * Some Hutt City councillors face $6500 pay cut, in a move labelled as seeming 'petty' Active transport advocate Matt Young questioned why the council intended to spend millions on a new road linking Wainuiomata and the eastern bays to State Highway 2 through an alternative route to the one that runs along the Petone waterfront, when it purported to take climate change seriously. He said the council acknowledged it needed to act now against climate change: When I look at your plan and your budget I dont see that urgency. Duncan Ballinger, of Lawyers for Climate Action, said the council had a legal responsibility to address climate change. He could not confirm whether the council was meeting those obligations as he was yet to read the draft long-term plan in detail, but said the organisation would be making a submission. Councillor Simon Edwards said he also had some questions about whether investing so much money in another road was the right decision. However, he said the route, known as the Cross Valley Transport Connections , would be used by cyclists and buses as well as cars, and he was interested in hearing residents views on the project. Deputy mayor Tui Lewis said the council was doing its bit to mitigate climate change and residents needed to do theirs. If they wanted more action on the issue they would say so in their submissions. Mayor Campbell Barry said the long-term plan was for the community, so it was important the council received upfront and honest" feedback. Population growth was putting the city's ageing infrastructure under pressure, and without significant investment its infrastructure was at risk of failing, he said. People can make submissions on the plan between April 6 and May 6.