Labour calls for Pt England debate
Labour is calling for its main opposition to publicly debate a controversial reserve development proposed for east Auckland but National isn’t biting.
Labour’s candidate for Maungakiekie Priyanca Radhakrishnan is demanding National’s Maungakiekie candidate Denise Lee put forward her case on the looming development on Pt England Reserve.
The Pt England Development Enabling Bill has been through select committee and is set to go before parliament for a second reading very soon.
If it passes it will allow local iwi Ngati Paoa to build 300 new houses and a marae on reserve land at Pt England. Concerns have been raised about the threat to the environment, the strain it will put on infrastructure and the loss of a public reserve.
Radhakrishnan said she was keen for a public debate with Lee on the issue.
‘‘It’s a national issue, it sets a precedent, revoking a reserved status could happen anywhere if this happens,’’ Radhakrishnan said.
Lee said it was critical people understood that 32ha would remain for public reserve space, with only 12ha being put aside for new housing and 2ha for a marae.
Lee said she supported pragmatic moves like this, however she was not keen for a debate anytime soon.