Christchurch protest unlikely to achieve change

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 5:58p.m.

Tony Maryatt and Bob Parker

Tony Maryatt and Bob Parker

By Hamish Clark

Three thousand angry Christchurch residents, upset at the way the Christchurch City Council's being run in the aftermath of the quakes, are demanding the removal of mayor Bob Parker and the city council's chief executive, Tony Marryatt and also want mid-term elections.

A decision by the chief executive to turn down a $68,000 pay rise has done nothing to calm the mood.

“I want Bob Parker to resign he's not the leader the city deserves we need a leader who can the council together work together united for the common cause for the recovery of the city,” says protestor Graham Alexander.

Even the Christchurch wizard put in an appearance, calling the council ‘brats’ and ‘idiots’.

Police were on hand in case there was trouble - some protesters ventured next door inside the city council headquarters to yell their resentment. The city council has been under siege after news of Marryat’s payrise was announced.

He declined the increase under public pressure and the Government has put in an observer to keep tabs on the council, but protesters are still demanding change.

“We need to remove Tony Marryat immediately we need to remove the mayor and we need to have new local body elections in the shortest possible time,” says organiser Peter Lynch.

Bob Parker has rejected the call to resign.

“I am not resigning I’m sorry, I am here to do my job. I was put here to do my job and until I am actually removed by central Government or a subsequent election that is what I will be doing,” he says.

Despite the frustration evident today, the protestors are unlikely to get their way.

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Comments

02 Feb 2012 04:11p.m.

Mike wrote:

3000 people protesting is still under 1% which leaves 99% who either support or dont care enough to protest.

Thats not enough whinging to have change. Nobody complaining is actually offerring alternatives, they just whinge like the Labour opposition for the last 3 years.

The problems in Christchurch comes down to ongoing earthquakes. While its still shaking its near impossible to rebuild as to rebuild you want insurance incase of more quakes or even general coverage for accidents while building. Insurances companies are unwilling to give out new policies, so no insurance, no rebuild.

Even the government is basically waiting for the quakes to calm down before doing major rebuilding. Part of the problem is the Labour introduced RMA which added years of red tape to any development, ie delayed any rebuild. Want to blame someone for inaction, the government has actually cut a lot of red tape to get as much done as they have! The RMA is a piece of leftist garbage which should be flushed.

Basically the RMA adds 2 years plus of red tape to any development and we are still not 2 years since the first quake and only 1 year since the Feb quake last year. Much planning has been ongoing to start the rebuild but little has actually happened as its still being held up by red tape.

Between the ongoing shakes, lack of insurance to rebuild, RMA red tape, media sabotaging the rebuild by trying to block historical buildings from being demolished and government owned homes from being demolished - its a surprise Christchurch has achieved as much as it has!

Take the new rugby stadium being built. Normally with the RMA such a build would take 3 just to pass submissions before any building started yet its being built now under a year from last Febs quake! Thats the government and council shortcuting the RMA much to the disgust of many whingers.

Rebuilding christchurch wont happen overnight. And if you voted in the past Labour govt you can take some blame for the delay.

02 Feb 2012 08:47a.m.

Sparky wrote:

Mayor bob parker needs to remember is that that people of canterbury voted you in as mayor and the people have the right to remove you because your not doing the job very well lets face it you are a showmen and that is all

01 Feb 2012 10:57p.m.

Central wrote:

Solution? Keep protesting. Bob, you have the chance to bow out gracefully - I suggest you take it.

01 Feb 2012 10:36p.m.

brightonboy wrote:

not grinning now are you parker,just go we dont want you

01 Feb 2012 08:47p.m.

katrina wrote:

People are frustrated at the insurance companies, EQC and ongoing earthquakes how is that Bob's fault, I challenge anyone else to be able to do the Mayor's job under the ongoing stressful circumstances. Tony' Pay rise offer is not his doing and he turned it down. Move on

01 Feb 2012 08:03p.m.

Future wrote:

Sue Wells would the best choice if you want change.

01 Feb 2012 07:00p.m.

Southshore wrote:

Problem is you are not doing the job Mayor Parker that's what this is all about - you are looking a little more mentally disturbed each day to be honest; I appreciate that you are under a load of pressure so wouldn't it be easier just to go gracefully? You are a wonderful TV presenter and it’s a big world out there - don't do this to yourself, you could do lots of other things - but you could not possibly miss the very real mood of the people of Christchurch - they just don't want you as Mayor.