Democracy at the beach

Published on 26 March 2019

At the request of Castlecliff community group Progress Castlecliff, Whanganui District Council has agreed to hold one of its committee meetings at Duncan Pavilion in Castlecliff next week.

The Property and Services Committee meeting will be open to the public, offering Castlecliff locals – along with all residents of Whanganui – the chance to view a formal Council meeting in their own suburb.

Progress Castlecliff organiser James Barron, working in conjunction with Deputy Mayor Jenny Duncan, came up with the idea of conducting the meeting at the suburb’s sea-front venue as a way to introduce Councillors to his local community.

“Progress Castlecliff is pleased to offer Councillors the opportunity to conduct our city's business in the iconic Duncan Pavilion. It also affords Castlecliff locals the chance to observe our Council at work in our beautiful beachside home,” Mr Barron says.

The Property and Community Services Committee discusses and makes recommendations on cultural facilities such as parks, sporting and recreational activities, the Town Centre and Castlecliff regeneration projects, waste minimisation and emergency management. It is chaired by Cr Helen Craig.

Mayor Hamish McDouall has applauded the initiative from Progress Castlecliff.

“This is an example of ‘taking democracy to the people’. We are demonstrating to community groups that the Council supports open government,” Mayor McDouall says.

The Property and Services Committee meeting will be held at Duncan Pavilion, Rangiora Street, Castlecliff at 1.00pm on Tuesday, 2 April 2019.