Pannett not afraid to go against the grain
Iona Pannett hopes to return for second term.
IONA Pannett feels Wellingtonians get good value for their rate payments, and believes rate cuts would lead to a reduction in services.
“I have heard feedback that they are so high [but] the amount ratepayers pay in income tax is far more than they pay in rates. For your rates you get a wide variety of services, roads, footpaths, parks, playgrounds, as well as libraries and swimming pools at a subsidised cost. I think residents get good value,” she says.
But Pannett is not afraid to make a stand against council policy when she feels it conflicts with her constituents’ beliefs.
“I voted against the Hataitai Tunnel proposal. I also voted against the Indoor Sports Centre, it wasn’t the right time and it isn’t the ideal location,” she says.
Out of service buses using the Hataitai Tunnel was a major issue of concern.
“I supported a motion to limit the number of out of service diesels, however it was defeated at council.”
Pannett feels she always makes herself available to hear her constituents’ concerns, and attends residents’ association meetings where appropriate, and has “strong working relationships in the wards.”
She is a former Waterfront Watch committee member, and has strong views on its future.
“The people I represent don’t want any more buildings there.” She also wants to stop building works planned for Waitangi Park.
“The problem when you start building apartments is that only very wealthy people live there, and I see it as a form of privatisation of public space that is probably the most valuable in the city. I don’t want council to do a plan change, because afterwards the public would be shut out,” she says.
“I also want to see Wellington’s waterfront functions brought back under the control of council,”
Pannett doesn’t believe that the government’s roads of national significance programme (which prioritises roads across the country for upgrading including the airport to Mount Victoria tunnel route, and Ngauranga to Aotea Quay route as well as transportation improvements around the Basin Reserve) is acceptable and consistent with a carbon neutral city.
She says according to the climate change authority, 35% of greenhouse gas emissions in the capital come from land transport.
“I would like to get private vehicles out, but we do need buses or light rail. We need most people to get to work by walking, cycling or using public transport.”
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1 Comment
steve at 11:24 p.m. on 10 September said
Loses my vote with her anti-urban waterfront policies.