The final result of the referendum on the future use of the old Harbour Board Building confirms that Option B: the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre is the option preferred by voters.
Updated:
10/06/2015 12:55 p.m.
The result of the Whangarei District Council Old Harbour Board Building Referendum held on Friday 5 June 2015 is as follows:
| A: Development of the building for the Harbourside Project |
5,609 |
|---|
| B: Development of the building for the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre |
14,256 |
|---|
| C: Demolition of the building |
8,080 |
|---|
There were 18 informal votes and 86 blank votes and a 49.06% voting return.
The outcome of the referendum is binding on the Whangarei District Council (subject to the preferred option having secured the remaining capital funding by 30 June 2017).
HWM Sheryl Mai said the people have spoken through a democratic process.
Many residents will be elated at the outcome, and many may be disappointed. Whatever our initial feelings, it is now in the best interests of this District that we be united in embracing, engaging in and enjoying the most popular referendum choice.
I thank all those who took the time to record their preference. I now encourage you all to join with us as we incorporate the result into the 2015-2025 Council Long Term Plan.
Even though today’s votes have yet to be counted, it seems very clear that the winning result will be Option B – Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Arts Centre.
I am delighted to be part of the process of ‘colouring our city’, which begins now. Prosper Northland now have work to do finalising the details and completing their fundraising efforts.
Council’s capital contribution of $2.8million to this project has been budgeted for in the draft Long Term Plan and will be incorporated through the deliberations process next week.
In addition to this result, I think it is important we consider the many ideas from the Harbourside proposal which held great merit, and investigate how they may be captured in future Council projects.