In the latest turn of events, Mayor Weston has once again found himself at the center of controversy. Just last week, he voiced his frustrations over the crippling debt imposed by the government's 3 Waters reform. Now, he's stepping back from funding social housing, leaving many questioning the council's priorities and financial strategies.
The council's recent history is riddled with risky decisions that have yet to show any tangible benefits. Take Teitei Drive, for instance. Despite repeated requests, the council has failed to provide any costings, leaving residents in the dark about how much of their money has been sunk into this project. And then there's the Affordable Tenancy Management Strategy (ATMS). Initiated around 2020, the ATMS, rather than being a transparent initiative to address the housing crisis, was quietly implemented with little to no proper consultation.
For years, the council has kept the strategy under the radar, crafting policies to suit their agenda without clearly disclosing their true intentions to the public. This lack of transparency has left many residents feeling deceived, as the council seems more interested in pushing through their plans than in engaging with the community they serve.
Council has remained tight-lipped on the total expenditure, refusing to release information to the public, fueling speculation about mismanagement.
It seems the council has developed a habit of counting their chickens before they've hatched. They eagerly chased the carrots dangled by the Labour government—both with the 3 Waters reform and with housing—pouring money & resources into initiatives that were risky and unlikely to be funded from the start.
Council is left with a gaping financial hole, one that ratepayers have to fill.
The bottom line is that the council gambled with public funds, fully aware of the risks involved. And now, with their bets falling through, it's the community that is at a loss.
As ratepayers, we deserve transparency and accountability, especially when it comes to how our money is being spent. It's time for the council to stop gambling with our future and start making responsible, informed decisions.
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