How thorough was cathedral ‘consultation’?

The so-called consultation by the Christchurch City Council is remarkable for the paucity of respondents. The 2015 census puts the population at 367,800. Of 1067 submissions 54.5 per cent (579) opposed the council contributing to the restoration of Christ Church Cathedral.

I have spoken to a good number of ratepayers and 80 per cent were not aware of the consultation process. How enthusiastically were the ratepayers made aware of it?.

I was under the impression that the council, through the mayor, committed to the $10 million when she made the announcement some months ago and the decision to consult occurred after that.

Also, I am concerned by the reports that a radio station corrupted the consultation process by encouraging its listeners to oppose the contribution.

The whole process was a poorly thought through and managed farce of little, if any, value.

Graeme Sharp Kaiapoi

Outcome exposes folly

It seems obvious now that 54.5 per cent of Christchurch people do not want a restored cathedral if ratepayers are required to contribute – certainly not if another $14 million is required. Absolutely not if the cost may reach the $220m the Anglican Church estimated, let alone the ongoing running costs the ratepayer will be up for. The folly of not letting the Anglicans build what they need for $40m is exposed.

James Stewart Harewood

Use budgeted heritage funds

Clear opposition from the majority of those who responded to the community consultation document on the question of raising a special rate for the purpose of restoring the cathedral in the square. Here’s a howdy do!

What notice will the council take of this very unscientific result? At least 130,000 households could have replied and didn’t bother, perhaps bored by the topic.

One might ask why the need for a special rate when the council has budgeted for heritage grants in the city plan and has a mechanism for granting them?

Now it will be the turn of Parliament, which has recently removed Jesus’ name from the opening prayer . . .

Corallyn Newman Cashmere

Too late to complain

The majority of ratepayers do not want their money used in restoration of Christ Church Cathedral.

The majority of ratepayers should have said at the right time that they preferred the Anglican Church to make their own decision and use their own money to do what they were then pressured out of doing, namely building a new cathedral.

It is now rather too late to complain and, contrary to popular opinion, the church does not possess unlimited funds as most of its assets consist of those buildings which people like to use for weddings and funerals.

Vic Smith Halswell