Press Release 2021 demands Public Consultation over Lyttelton Port Deal
Christchurch 2021, today demanded a formal public consultation on the proposed change in asset ownership and management structures at the Lyttelton Port.
The chairperson, Carl Pascoe said "We have been receiving a number of questions and expressions of concern about the Hutchinson Whampoa and Christchurch City Holdings proposed deal. The port is a strategic asset in the region and our council has long been a leader in ensuring public ownership was retained in a range of significant city assets. 50.1% ownership of assets is a significant reduction in shareholding from 69% and this is creating some significant concern.
Our members noticed that the other strategic port asset, the airport, seem able to provide a comprehensive and informative notice about the new parking structures. We would expect a similar level of information on the proposed Lyttelton Port deal given the significant role the Port plays in the economic life of this region.
In addition we note that it appears the Council is proposing to shift other significant assets from public scrutiny, namely the Red Bus Company and City Care. To many people this appears to be a continuing trend away from public ownership and scrutiny of decision making in relation to significant city assets.
Christchurch City has a proud record of retaining assets in public ownership and has a policy of "not to sell any trading enterprise or any of the city's cultural, sporting or recreational assets or any public rental housing or elderly persons housing except where such assets are surplus to the city's needs".
(Council, 21 September 1992)
2021 call upon the Council through its ownership of CCHL to show that the Lyttelton Port deal and share sell down is in line with this policy and that the 18.1% share sell off is surplus to the city's needs.
This can only be done when the real owners, the rate payers of this city have the full picture of the impacts of the deal and this can only be done through a formal public consultation.
2021 encourages all ratepayers of Christchurch to use the avenues available to them to call for public consultation over this or any other sale of council assets.
For Further Comment:
David Close
Chairperson 2021
388 0151
