10 July 2007

Christchurch mayoral candidates Bob Parker and Megan Woods have unveiled their early policy ideas as their campaigns for the October elections shift up a gear.

The two candidates are preparing for the final three months of the mayoral race.

Woods has attacked proposals for a $100 million civic building, while Parker has focused on tackling crime.

Their campaigning styles differ, with Parker commissioning advertising agencies and public relations firms and Woods relying on support from political alliance Christchurch 2021.

Parker has so far commissioned Harvey Cameron Advertising, public relations company The Agency Communications and polling firm Buzz the People to help in his campaign. Woods' website was designed by a friend and her polling was conducted informally at community group meetings.

Parker officially launched his campaign last week with a pledge card outlining his campaign priorities.

One of his main priorities is to tackle crime with more security cameras, better lighting and more community engagement in central Christchurch.

"There is a feeling of real insecurity, especially at night. That is not the way it used to be. The crime figures are at a reasonably high level, there are some real examples of violence and intimidation, but it is about perception," Parker said.

Woods is targeting the proposed $100m civic building as a major campaign issue and says it is an example of the council "not respecting the rates dollar".

She has consulted building experts to look for cheaper options and is considering a decentralised approach, where council offices would be spread across the city.

"One option we are looking at is a decentralised model where you put council back into the community and use the holdings already owned by the council.

"You would have to make sure different aspects of council were clustered together so people do not have to drive across town for a meeting."

Parker rounded on political opponents making election issues out of the recent 7.35 per cent rates rise and the civic building.

"I would challenge anyone who says the rates can be lower to not just take the popular, easy rhetoric, but to convince us how they will do it," he said. "They should not just throw around that they will not have a civic building. To reiterate the same old, tired rhetoric just to get into council is a sad indictment."

Parker favours a civic building in the city centre as a way to regenerate and enliven life within the four avenues.

Woods is also focusing on making the council more accessible and tackling youth safety issues after the Edgeware Road tragedy, while Parker is targeting basic services like sewerage, roads and traffic congestion.

Both have pledged to protect heritage buildings and tackle water pollution.

For further comment contact:
Megan Woods - 2021 Candidate for Mayor
Mobile: 027 669 0457
Email: megan@megan4mayor.com