VICTORY ON TUESDAY?

"Prove by voting to abolish Metrowater Ltd on 22 June that you have
listened to the overwhelming concern shown by Auckland citizens during the
Draft Annual Plan process," was the loud and clear message
from over 250 people who attended a public meeting called by the Water
Pressure Group.
At Tamaki Campus, Glen Innes on Sunday 20 June, Auckland City Councillors
Maire Leadbeater, Jan Welch, and Bill Christian, all expressed support for
a motion to be put forward by City Vision, on 22 June calling for the
abolition of Metrowater as a commercialised water Local Authority trading
Enterprise (L.A.T.E.), and its return to Council control as a Stand Alone
Business Unit (S.A.B.U.).
Bill Christian gave the names of ten Councillors who he understands will
support the motion, and passed on to the meeting the names of the other
nine Councillors (plus the Mayor), who needed more lobbying on the issue.
Councillor Maire Leadbeater was commended by acclamation for her courage
and determination in standing with the citizens of Auckland in their fight
to abolish Metrowater Ltd, and she reminded the meeting that without direct
action, women would not have won the vote, apartheid would still continue,
and a nuclear-free New Zealand would never have been created.
"Stop restricting and disconnecting the water supplies of customers who
have paid for their water and are disputing their waste-water", was the
demand from the meeting on Metrowater Ltd. The Mayor and Councillors were
strongly urged to utilise to the fullest extent the "control" Council has,
to implement an immediate moratorium on any further water restrictions or
disconnections by Metrowater Ltd of its customers in dispute.
Media Spokesperson Penny Bright said today;
"Every day the scent of victory grows stronger in our struggle to free
Auckland City of commercialised water, and the corporate arrogance it has
shown toward its customers who expect the supply of water and waste-water
to be an affordable, essential public service, not a commodified luxury.
We are becoming increasingly confident that the days of Metrowater Ltd are
numbered."
The Water Pressure Group will hold a rally in Aotea Square, Auckland at
8.45am on 22 June, prior to the Councillors' meeting in the Civic
Administration Building to debate the issue at 9.30am.

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