Ticked off replies

Rates and wind turbines are the two issues that have got voters going this local body election, closely followed by leadership and rubbish.

The Manawatu Standard has straw polled readers for the past week, getting a feel for election issues. Readers were invited to fill in a tick-box reply coupon to indicate whether they had concerns about rates, rubbish or recycling, water quality, a city-Manawatu District merger, wind turbines, leadership, or any other issue returners cared to raise.

Of the 47 email and 38 coupon replies, rates and wind turbines each got 34 ticks. Many respondents concerned about rates also added comments on worries about ballooning council debt and money wasted on non- essential spending. The clock tower and The Square's reconstruction were hammered by a handful.

Half a dozen respondents favoured more turbines on the ranges, but the majority said there were enough already. Some wrote with vehement opposition to the plan to put wind turbines in the Turitea Reserve, and wanted to know councillors' positions on the matter.

Twenty one respondents weren't happy about rubbish services, wanting rubbish bags back and a better system to stop recyclables blowing around windy city streets. There were 17 grumbles about the water quality, and one lone voice praising it.

Other issues that arose included saying no to developing the Victoria Esplanade, fixing the "traffic chaos" on Tremaine Avenue, concern about allowing houses to be built on the Te Matai Road flood plain, and the proposed new bridge at Staces Road and the Eastern corridor ring road systems.

Next week the Manawatu Standard will run a daily question for all Palmerston North City Council candidates to answer. Monday's is about council unity and leadership, and what each candidate would do to fix it.