5 Dec 2013

Govt 'railroading' flyover submissions process

7:48 pm on 5 December 2013

United Future leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne says the Government is railroading the submissions process for the proposed Basin Reserve flyover in Wellington.

Peter Dunne.

Peter Dunne. Photo: RNZ

The Government called for submissions on 10 August, with a final decision to be made by May 2014.

Mr Dunne says submissions have to be in by 13 December and expert witness evidence three days after that.

The MP believes it is unreasonable to expect those wanting to rebut that evidence to have their feedback in 25 days later, on 10 January, especially because it is over the summer holiday period.

Mr Dunne says the refusal of Environment Minister Amy Adams to extend the rebuttal period until the end of February and the final decision by two months to August makes him think the outcome is predetermined and the submissions process largely perfunctory.

He says given it is such an important issue for Wellington, he has asked Ms Adams to reconsider.