I have been receiving a lot of feedback from concerned Papanui residents after an article in last week’s Star newspaper on my apparent U-turn on the Papanui cycleway. Rest assured there has been no U-turn by me. A recentarticle and headline in the Star was inaccurate.

There was no vote on the cycleway at the meeting held on 22 February. However, last Tuesday I obtained an 11–6 majority vote in Council for an amendment to the annual plan consultation document. The amendment to pause construction on the Harewood Rd cycleway for 12 months will allow us to engage with the local Papanui and Harewood communities to work through some of the issues with the current plan.

The 11–6 majority shows that most Councillors think further work is required with the local community on this cycleway. The pause sends a clear message that the Council, and staff, are listening, and we are working hard to get a better result for the Papanui and Harewood communities.Staff told us last week construction funding from Waka Kotahi (51% of the total budget) was not yet secure.

I am mindful that there is significant pressure on Government funding given the recent cyclone events in the North Island and it is possible funding may in future be deferred for higher priority projects. There is no guaranteed central government funding for this project.

Consultation on the 23/24 draft Annual Plan opens this Friday 10 March. I encourage the public, and specifically the people of Papanui and Harewood, to engage with the Annual Plan consultation process. This is your chance to have your say. If you think we have our priorities right, tell us, if you think we are overspending on certain things, like cycleways – please tell us. Here is a link to the Council Annual Plan submission process: https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/haveyoursay/show/582