For the benefit of those who weren’t there, these were the four set questions by the Waikanae Beach Residents Association:
1. If elected will you support the zoning of Waikanae Beach as Beach Residential as a matter of urgency? (Note: Otaki Beach, Raumati and Paekakariki are zoned Beach Residential)
2. What are your views that the only commercial development at Waikanae Beach should be small-scale based around the existing shops to develop a village atmosphere?
3. Will you support the community aspirations resulting from the Futures Project in the preservation of Waikanae Beach?
4. What are your views on the KCDC rates policy?
Geoffrey Churchman’s answers in brief are:
- Absolutely
- No to strip malls and supermarkets; yes to cafés and small shops selling certain product lines near to the beach front.
- Definitely
- The KCDC can not continue to increase rates well above inflation; even a 5% annual increase is more than most ratepayers get from their occupations. A close scrutiny of all spending, preferably by the whole council, obtaining independent expert advice where appropriate, must be a high priority by the next council.