Editorial: United we stand to make statement

Not for the first time, and probably far from the last, the Government has been put on notice that the community of Wanganui will not stand for repeatedly losing out to bigger centres on the jobs front.

That's the underlying message behind district councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan's desire to unite the council to consider a more proactive and perhaps even aggressive stance over centralisation of government department jobs.

Few will need to be reminded of the recent history in Wanganui and how successive governments have enabled or allowed dozens of jobs to go. We all know what an impact that has had in terms of making this a desirable place to live. Constant downsizing erodes our ability to market the region as a vibrant location to live, where skills and jobs are sought and valued, and it severely impacts on people opting to raise families here.

Of course, it isn't exactly one-way traffic; the Government has ensured Wanganui is among the first in the country to gain from the rollout of ultrafast broadband.

Exactly what this means in terms of business opportunities and jobs growth remains to be seen, but at least we are in with a fighting chance to make some good gains. It remains to be seen whether Ms Baker-Hogan will get her wish to have the issue put to the full council on Monday, but one would hope so. A good number of our elected officials have indicated their support for a more active stance on lobbying for our cause.

There will no doubt be suggestions in some quarters that all that will result will be hand-wringing and talk-fests. They may even point to the campaign to overturn the decision to close the NZTA office. While ultimately unsuccessful, the bid led by the Chronicle did serve a useful purpose. It let the politicians know of our displeasure but also did something even more worthwhile. It brought the community together and led to the inaugural Whanganui - Creating Our Future forum. Out of the negativity was spawned a positive.

We must take Ms Baker-Hogan's lead as a community, politicians, business and community groups and unite to put forward the firm notion that we will not be anybody's whipping boy. Then this country's leadership will have to take notice. Aside from that, together we might build a better Wanganui. And, surely, that is worth fighting for.

Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz