Anger over $30m project leads to political action

Monte Cecilia School in Hillsborough. Photo / Martin Sykes

The furore over the plan to shift Monte Cecilia Catholic School and Liston retirement village has resulted in the formation of a new political group.

Roskill Community Voice is contesting the Puketapapa Local Board and has described the relocation of the school as a waste of public money.

Spokesman Michael Wood said that while the Monte Cecilia debate was a localised issue, it was typical of the council's rushing through of policy without adequate consultation.

The Auckland City Council has gradually been acquiring land for Monte Cecilia Park from the Catholic Church since 2000, but got offside with parents and the local community for buying the 1ha site and planning to build a new school at an estimated cost of $30 million. The school rebuilding project must still get through the resource consent process.

Citizens & Ratepayers' Richard Barter said the decision on the school had been made, and the incoming council needed to push forward with the relocation plan to ensure the best outcome for the schoolchildren.

Roskill Community Voice also wants an end to the "neglect" of Mt Roskill's shopping centre, and proper consultation on the Dominion Rd upgrade.

Citizens & Ratepayers said the most important issues in the election were giving a voice to the diverse communities in the Puketapapa region, and lifting young people out of unemployment.

FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES:http://tinyurl.com/aukvote