Fendalton road row costly

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 6

Fendalton road row costly

The Planning Tribunal battle over the Fendalton Road widening impasse could cost the residents’ action group more than $10,060. The Waimairi District Council will also be faced with a similar bill for expert advice and legal costs when the hearing takes place, possibly in March or April next year. According to a spokes-

woman for the Fendalton Road Action Group, Miss Leone Stewart, the group will have to run fundraising events to get the cash. The battle against the council’s plans to cut into residents’ road frontages and properties has been waged since 1985 and has already totalled about $BOOO in residents’ money. Miss Stewart said the

group could not keep asking for money from the same people over and over again and the costly court fight would have to be funded on a wider basis. The latest chapter in the saga unfolded yesterday when the action group accused the council of pre-empting the Planning Tribunal by agreeing to raise $2.5 million in

loan money to purchase properties along Fendalton Road. Miss Stewart labelled the move arrogant The money the council raised at the ratepayers’ cost might in the end not be needed if the tribunal disallowed the proposal, There appeared no way residents could stop the council from going ahead with the loan..