ALAN JEFFERIES

Neighbourly users were keen to know what the Upper Hutt mayoral candidates view of recycling services in the city was. In an online poll more than half of those responding indicated this issue was the most important to them.

Wayne Guppy: During the last Annual Plan cycle, council listened to the wishes of the community and as a consequence of that a recycling station is being set-up. It was clear during this process that the community wanted a recycling drop off station as an option. This new service will be reviewed in 12 months. Council must also play a proactive role in education, highlighting the benefits to the environment and also the options available to residents. For those using our current system the satisfaction rates and recycling volumes are very high.

Alan Jefferies: Kerbside recycling is not an option, rather it is amust. We all need to commit to recycling in all its forms because it justmakes sense in both the short and long termCouncil needs to lead the way. There were practical problems last time around. These sometimes require innovative solutions coupled with the resolve to implement them. I don’t believe any meaningful attempt wasmade to resolve the exact problems.Council’s response was to cease providing the service - they ran away from the problem, rather than fix it. Now the problem has reared its head again. ‘‘I’m as keen as I’ve ever been,’’ Wayne Guppy says of the Upper Hutt mayoralty.

‘‘More keen actually, it’s an exciting time for the city with what’s happening and what’s planned to happen,’’

With the development of the Mall and a number of housing sub-divisions underway Upper Hutt is on a roll.

There’s also what’s happening at the former CIT where Guppy spent 15 years teaching at the pharmacy school.

’’So all up we’ve got a real opportunity to make sure we make the right decisions and we take the maximum benefit.’’

The mayor since 2001, Guppy is odds-on for a sixth term.

He is satisfied with the efforts of the 2013-16 council.

‘‘As a team we’ve made some real progress and we’ve done the things we set out to do.’’

Recent examples are a Land Use Strategy and the city’s continuing economic development, he said.

The community effort fighting the ‘‘Super City’’ amalgamation was a stand-out of the last three years.

‘‘That was very important for us and the amalgamation has been put to bed, at least for a period.’’

The council and the community never deviated from an approach where the city would keep its boundaries and its identity but look to develop shared services across the region, he said.

‘‘That’s what’s happening. We are to the forefront of that collaboration and it is of benefit for us all. ’’

Guppy said his position as chair of the Mayoral Forum and the Wellington Regional Strategy Committee was important to this work continuing. If the Upper Hutt mayoralty is a two-horse race, Alan Jefferies is the obvious outsider.

The 65-year-old is standing for the top job, challenging the ironclad tenure of Wayne Guppy for a second time.

Three years ago he gathered less than 2000 votes.

While he has nominated for a councillor positionhis mayoralty push is genuine.

‘‘It’s a serious challenge and I think it’s something that is needed.’’

Upper Hutt having had two mayors since 1977 is not a record the city should be proud of, the Maymorn Rd resident said.

‘‘We need a contest and I’ll be doing my best to create one.’’

Jefferies’ major issue is the council record of poor decision making,

He believes local decisions have been made away from public scrutiny.

The land swap of the Silverstream Spur for Pinehaven ridge line owned by the Guildford Timber Company is an example.

‘‘So I’ve got this deal under the microscope.‘‘

Closer to home is the council’s failure to identify Mangaroa River flood hazard areas after years of effort.

Proposed District Plan changes were withdrawn and then aborted because thetime to bring the plan into force had run out.

Jefferies opposed the plan at hearings. ’’They are going to try again but it should be dropped,’’

The move by an earlier council to end kerbside recycling was another bad decision.

The move to set up a free transfer station in the next months only highlights the issue.