Dunne: Wellington City Council plans would make Johnsonville a ghetto
12 November 2009

Ohariu MP Peter Dunne says a proposed Wellington City Council plan change being rushed through could turn central Johnsonville into a ghetto, and destroy the suburb’s village image forever.

Mr Dunne said that the Council’s District Plan Change (DPC) 72 allowing for “residential intensification” through more “medium density” housing for central Johnsonville might sound innocuous enough at first glance, but will lead to lead to more high rise housing, and greater population density in and around the Johnsonville town centre.

Submissions on the change close on 27 November.

“That will change completely the landscape and tone of Johnsonville, and destroy Johnsonville’s village atmosphere and it’s just being rushed through with very little time for people to respond,” he said.

“Most local residents I speak to are aghast at the potential impact of the proposals, and seem surprised that they are even being actively considered by the Wellington City Council.

“Their surprise turns to horror when they learn the Council’s deadline for submissions is 27 November,” Mr Dunne said.

He said a proposal of this magnitude should not be “sneaked through”.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Council has thus far refused residents’ requests to extend the submission period for at least a further six months so everyone in Johnsonville can be aware of the proposals and have a chance to have a say.

“I am calling on the Council to reverse that decision and extend the length of the submission process accordingly.

“In the meantime, I think the Mayor and Councillors ought to be conducting their own public consultation meetings in the area where local people can come and have their say, and hear why the Council seems so keen on ramming through DPC 72,” he said.

Mr Dunne said he will continue to work closely with the Johnsonville Progressive Association and residents generally to prevent central Johnsonville being “ghettoised”.

He said he was encouraging residents to make the council listen to them by putting in formal written submissions on DPC 72 opposing Johnsonville "area of change" proposal.

Ends

Mark Stewart | Press Secretary | Office of Hon Peter Dunne
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