Papamoa meeting popular

David Stewart speaking at a meet the candidates meeting last night in Papamoa. Photo / Sonya Bateson

The Papamoa/Mount Maunganui candidates meeting was the biggest so far.

About 100 people, many of whom were members of the Papamoa Progressive Association, attended the meeting at the Church of the Open Door to discover more about their ward and mayoral candidates.

The five candidates each had five minutes to speak and while each had their own message, a common theme was the need to lower council debt.

Richard Moore was the first speaker. He discussed the need for adequate tsunami warning systems and the lack of escape routes in Papamoa.

Mr Moore said that while tsunami were unlikely, they could strike at any time and eight years after the Boxing Day tsunami, it was a concern nothing had been done.

Steve Morris said he was standing for council as he wanted a better city for his children to inherit. He was also concerned about the number of off-licence liquor outlets in Papamoa. He spoke of his involvement in public meetings after the Rena grounding and dealing with the bad publicity.

David Stewart spoke about the huge growth in Papamoa and Mount Maunganui, and how the council needed to make sure infrastructure and developments were in place for the anticipated growth.

Mr Stewart said while he did not condone the amount of council debt, it was not as high as many people made out and the city's finances were not "going over the toilet" any time soon.

Clayton Mitchell said it did not make sense no one had thought about better exit routes for the city in an emergency.

He said the city needed first to be a safe city, then a fun city. Mr Mitchell said council debt was not a major problem, but it still needed to be addressed.

Final speaker Wayne Moultrie said he had been instrumental in a number of developments such as the Pilot Bay boardwalk and the proposed development for the Phoenix carpark in Mount Mainstreet.

He said Papamoa deserved a new surf lifesaving club as it would benefit everyone and council's change to the lease arrangements meant the club could move on to fundraising.

After edition time, mayoral candidates Stuart Crosby, Kelvin Clout, Hori Leaming, John Robson and Richard Moore took the stage. Mike Baker was unable to attend.