Capital Times’ reporter Peter Moloney casts an outsiders eye over the local body race in the Eastern and Southern wards.

IN my role of providing coverage for Capital Times’ readers ahead of this year’s election I have been to many mayoral and local body meetings, and something that surprises me has been the number of 20-somethings who have attended.
This was not the case at the Eastern Ward meeting on Saturday, but the Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay community centre was crowded.
Ten of the 11 candidates showed up; the missing candidate was Allan Probert.
In the organised question and answer session, the audience was mostly concerned about rates, debt, public transport, footpaths and a call for ward meetings.
First up was rates.
Ray Ahipene-Mercer felt that while the inflation rate was a useful target when considering rate levels, rates couldn’t move exclusively to match inflation.
Rob Goulden was concerned at widespread council spending and felt that rates will continue to increase if council continues with its current level of spending, while Tony Travis intends to “better utilise infrastructure already in place” before spending more money.
Car parking spaces were another issue.
Rosemary Russell said, “If you don’t have car parks, you don’t have customers”.
Mike Fiechter wanted to encourage locals to go to the shops on foot, Ahipene-Mercer felt that there was no perfect balance between cars and public transport, but agreed the balance could be improved.
Leonie Gill felt that further communication with shopping centres was required, while Mike Mellor said that public transport needed to be improved before residents would leave their cars at home.
Another audience member asked how those with disabilities would be assisted and how council businesses would be made accessible.
Mellor felt that some buildings could be terrifying for people with disabilities and access needs to be addressed, while Fiechter felt all council buildings should be accessible.
On footpaths, Rodney Marsh emphasised that walking needed to be encouraged.
Taima Fagaloa felt that it was a contradiction for council to build the Indoor Sports’ Centre while people could potentially get injured on the way by poor quality footpaths.
Amanda Nicole recalled her regular trips with her mother who is in a wheelchair and said she was concerned that she nearly lost her a few times on trips around the ward.
All candidates supported the concept of ward clinics, however Gill and Ahipene-Mercer felt that when they had arranged meetings in the past, constituent turnout was disappointing.


Ray Ahipene-Mercer: Incumbent. Independent. He seeks to return for a fifth term. Promises to be a strong and experienced voice for the Eastern Ward.
Taima Fagaloa: Labour. Has already served as a councillor in Porirua. Claims to provide a strong voice that will stand up for residents, even if the decision is unpopular with others.
Mike Fiechter: Independent. Is a qualified diversional therapist. Claims to support the elderly, and runs a drop in centre for the elderly one day a week. If elected, he will seek a rates reduction for senior citizens.
Leonie Gill: Incumbent. Labour. She chairs the Regulatory Processes Committee and is the council representative on the Pacific Advisory Group. She remains opposed to the sale of strategic assets.
Rob Goulden: Incumbent. Independent. Highlights his involvement in sport and the community. If elected his priorities are resident interaction, encouraging innovation and business in the city, and improving transport and infrastructure.
Simon “Swampy” Marsh: Independent. He is a well known voice on Wellington radio. If elected he wants to relieve Eastern Ward traffic congestion, listen to the elderly, and encourage business opportunities.
Mike Mellor: Independent .Has lived on Miramar Peninsula resident for 19 years. He wants to address potential airport expansion; the future of Kilbirnie bus barns and town centre; transport, including SH1 tunnels and light rail; and the Marine Education Centre.
Amanda Nicolle: Independent. Currently a social columnist, she’s also involved with the Child Cancer Foundation. Has expressed a desire to protect the South coasts and preserve the coastline.
Allan Probert: Independent. He prioritises transport improvements, supporting airport developments and improving community interaction if elected.
Rosemary Russell: Independent. Is a former nurse who was born and raised in the Eastern Ward. She spent 11 years as a centre government administrator. If elected, she plans to address town centre development, parking, street cleaning and improved community facilities.
Tony Travers: Independent. A businessman – he wants to address rates and support local businesses and promote local tourism, if elected.