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Albany Ward councillors Wayne Walker and John Watson challenged confidentiality at the March 31 Planning Committee meeting with claims of public interest.
The committee went into a confidential discussion on the new National Policy Statement on Urban Development, but not before Cr Walker contested it.
The agenda stated confidentiality was needed because of legal privilege and preventing the disclosure of official information for improper advantage.
Cr Walker said the information available in the confidential report was already known to the public.
“Availability of information for public interest far outweighs the level of confidentiality needed,” Walker said.
Cr Watson echoed Walker and said the public needed to have access to more information.
“Wellington and Christchurch City Councils are in open meetings dealing with the same national policy provisions,” Cr Watson said.
Chief of strategy Megan Tyler said the information would be released in a couple of weeks.
“The purpose of confidentiality is for you to have an open and frank discussion,” Tyler said.
Crs Watson and Walker voted against going into confidentiality for the discussion.
