Councillor questions mayor's financial 'consistency'
“The word ‘flashest’ is nowhere to be found in the Local Government Act. In fact, it’s ludicrous.”
Help us keep telling Southland stories by becoming a paid subscriber of The Southland Tribune.
Invercargill City Councillor Ian Pottinger says the city’s mayor is being inconsistent with his stance on the museum development and Bluff wastewater consent matters.
Mayor Nobby Clark has outlined concerns around what impact a change in Bluff’s wastewater system could have on ratepayers in the future.
Iwi is opposed to the status quo on cultural grounds. It wants an extra step added to the process which would see the wastewater pass through a wetland area before heading out to sea.
Clark preferred the status quo wanting to ease the future burden on ratepayers.
That statement did not sit well with Pottinger, who is currently overseas and on leave from council duties but wanted to share his view publicly.
“There is no consistency in his financial budgeting,” Pottinger told The Tribune.
The council this month voted 10-1 in favour of proceeding with the museum build at an increased $87m budget. Amongst those in favour of that was Mayor Clark.
The council agreed to push on with the car park, Green Star accreditation quest, and plan for a 70 percent digital museum experience.
It followed the revelation in July that the council could not build the museum within the initial budget. It required at least an additional $13m.
Cr Ria Bond was the only councillor to vote against the motion to continue with the museum build as initially planned.
Although Cr Pottinger has confirmed if he was in attendance at the meeting he too would have voted against the motion.
Pottinger questioned Clark’s quest for the “flashest” museum.
“The Local Government Act is about councils doing stuff that is fit for purpose. You build a museum, you build a library, they are fit for purpose. They do their function.
“The word ‘flashest’ is nowhere to be found in the Local Government Act. In fact, it’s ludicrous.”
“The budget got out of control and the council should have completely rethought the project.”
Pottinger felt the “fixation” over a 70 percent digital experience was not fit for purpose.
“I’ve been through a heap of museums over here, not a digital thing to be seen.”
Mayor Clark said Pottinger was welcome to his view on the museum.
“I gave a commitment to a state of the art, futuristic museum and a large majority of councillors will deliver that,” Clark said.
On the issue of the Bluff wastewater consent costs, Clark said Cr Pottinger had not raised any concern with him personally which he said was “par for the course”.
Pottinger’s public swipe at Mayor Clark continues what has been growing tension between the six-term councillor and mayor since the start of the term. It included Pottinger calling for Clark’s resignation at one point.
Great to see there is at least one councilor who has his feet firmly on the ground.
No to the digital experience as the programs will need an it team to keep the operating so there will be a long term cost to have an it team to keep the information digital system operational.
Long term cost to the rate payers will be out of the park.
Let's have the old items on show other wise the building if the storage facility will have been a waste of money
Good to see this being called out.