No community in the country will accept being the new home for serial sex offender Stewart Murray Wilson, the president of Local Government New Zealand says.
The mayors of New Plymouth and Hastings say they will oppose Wilson being housed in their towns amid reports the two communities were shortlisted with Wanganui as potential locations for the convicted rapist.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, who is also the head of Local Government New Zealand, said housing Wilson when he is released next month was ``a big dilemma'' for authorities.
Wanganui District Council has appealed to the High Court against the decision for Wilson, known as the Beast of Blenheim, to live in a house on prison property when he is released on September 1.
Mr Yule and New Plymouth Mayor Harry Duynhoven told Radio New Zealand this morning that they would both fight to keep their communities from housing Wilson.
If the Wanganui council is successful, New Plymouth and Hastings may be reconsidered as destinations for him.
``I wouldn't expect that any mayor around New Zealand would want this gentleman placed in their mitts,'' Mr Yule said.
``It's a big dilemma for New Zealand and a big dilemma for Corrections.
``I remind people this man has been in jail for 18 years, he has shown no remorse, no attempts to rehabilitate himself, is considered a real threat to society ... why would any community want him back?''
The Corrections Department says Wilson will be subject to the strictest probation conditions of any person ever released from prison.
It will include being tracked by a GPS monitor, which will notify authorities if he moves into any restricted areas.
Wanganui Mayor Annette Main says she is not convinced the conditions on Wilson will do enough to protect her community.
Mr Yule and Mr Duynhoven agree.
``I don't think any New Zealander would want him living in their neighbourhood [and] I don't think any council would want that dilemma,'' Mr Yule said.
Wanganui District Council's opposition to the parole decision, along with Wilson's appeal against his strict release conditions, will be heard in Wellington next week.
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