GDC can delegate but remains accountable

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Re: Happy to talk about Grey Street project, October 4 letter.

Kia Ora Haimona. Thank you for your explanation which gives more background information about the Grey Street project. Congratulations to you and the adventure trust for your great work re the skatepark. And awesome re lobbying to Gisborne District Council for a pedestrian crossing and other related matters.

Thank you for clarifying that you applied for the “Streets for People” programme in collaboration with GDC and that you have received GDC’s support throughout your project.

However, my fundamental concern remains. Who is accountable to Gisborne residents for any changes done to our streets?

Gisborne councillors are elected officials and are accountable to residents. Of course, GDC can delegate any project to consultants or community groups like yours, but they need to stay accountable for that project.

Myself and others have real concerns about 15-minute cities being rolled out in some cities globally. These projects are being opposed by local residents voicing opposition to their local elected councils, and often succeeding in reversing these policies.

It seems to me that to get 15-minute cities rolled out, a new approach is being trialled in NZ by “Streets for People” programme funding and in this case even bypassing the responsibility and accountability of the local council.

I have no doubt Haimona that your intentions are good, but you do not have the authority to change the layout of the city, without formal approval from GDC — who then remains accountable for those changes.

In the original article we read things like, “Ms Spence said the drop-off/pick-up zone in Grey Street had resulted in ‘carnage and huge complaints’ for six weeks” and “The trust was ready for ‘a lot of

kickback’ ” because of the planned changes, etc.

These are huge red flags; people should have been consulted by GDC and their complaints heard and responded to by GDC.

It is not up to your group saying, “The trust would ‘take on board’ any calls for changes”.

Loss of car parks and planter boxes in the middle of the road, making a street one-way, etc, needs the authority and accountability of GDC.

Simin Williams