United we stand but is anyone listening?

The first public meeting of Upper Hutt’s local government candidates was remarkable more for the election hopefuls singing from the same song book than any sharp political differences.

Perhaps the uniform view was a reaction to Hutt City’s deputy mayor David Bassett’s recent call for a single council to steer a combined Hutt Valley’s future..

Or was it proof that Upper Hutt, with only two mayors in 40 years and its 10 councillors always voted at large, is one of the most stable and unified local authorities around..

There was clear agreement on the need to improve the CBD with policies to increase the mix of shopping and develop apartment availability and inner-city living highlighted as necessary..

Upper Hutt’s natural bush environment and the city’s easy access to the outdoors was a local asset which needed to be better marketed and capitalised on, several candidates said.

The Friday breakfast event organised by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce attracted fewer than 50 people, including the speakers.

However with 14 of the 21 aspirants on show there were some unexpected moments for those that bothered to come along.

After identifying her life-long love of all things adrenalin, Tracey Ultra called for Upper Hutt to make its mark as an adventure tourism destination by building ‘‘ the fastest flying fox in the world’’.

‘‘We have the right typography to support something really incredible,’’ the experienced bungy jumper and sky-diver said.

Incumbent councillor Paul ‘‘Mr Upper Hutt’’ Lambert had earlier upped the adrenalin ante with his suggestion ‘‘that the people who used to manage the CIT should have been lined up and shot’’.

Lambert’s unequivocal view came as he was looking to praise the turnaround in the former Heretaunga campus’ future under the ownership of Malcolm Gillies and other developers.

Earlier Wayne Guppy, mayor since 2001, had identified Gillies’ development of the CIT and, with housing, the former AgResearch land at Wallaceville as crucial to the city’s future.

‘‘Barring inner city Wellington we will see the biggest growth of the region’s cities right here in Upper Hutt,’’ he said.

Alan Jefferies, Guppy’s only mayoral opponent, said much needed to be done for the city centre. Many of today’s vacant shops were likely never to be filled because of major changes in retailing.

He advocated a ‘‘greater people presence’’ in the CBD to make it livable and vibrant.and fit to be part of his vision for a ‘‘progressive, independent city with low rates and a sustainable growth pattern’’.

‘‘And it must be business friendly,’’ Jefferies said.