Setting the record straight

So Lila Smith thinks our mayor and all but a few councillors should be shoved out the door and sent packing.

Well, Lila, when you stood for the mayor’s position you didn’t get anywhere near the door. We have not heaped shame on our province and we listened to our ratepayers who submitted to non self-contained (NSC) freedom camping.

You say you are ashamed and that we have painted them as leeches. These are strong words that are absolutely not correct. Many ratepayers contacted me during the submission process, and as a district councillor I listened like all other councillors and then made an informed decision.

Our ratepayers and community are entitled to enjoy our beautiful coastline by surfing, swimming, picnicking and viewing all year round.

Let me be in no doubt that I welcome visitors to our city for them to enjoy our beautiful scenery and facilities, but our ratepayers and other funders pay for our infrastructure and all of the costs that are associated with our carparks, walkways, parks and viewing areas.

What happened last January at the Whaiwakaiho car park sparked a fierce debate on

‘‘There are more people on the move than ever before who are able to visit and tour different countries and places.’’ Cr Colin Johnston

NSC freedom camping from the wider community.

Did you witness the overloading of the limited facilities at the river mouth?

Look around the world, Lila, things are changing even from the last few decades ago and there are more people on the move than ever before who are able to visit and tour different countries and places including our beautiful district. Councillor Colin Johnston, New Plymouth District Council