All the Smoke and Mirrors of a Great Mayoral Debate

Like every Great Debate there has to be some lively discussion, and the one between Invercargill Mayoralty candidates on Wednesday night was no exception.

Hosted by the Southland Business Chamber, Darren Ludlow kicked off the introductions and his interpretation of rates was to the point and honest.

“Rates suck.  They are a blunt tool and the only one we have got,” he said referring to the reality that they will always increase, not just here, but around the world, just as the cost of everything was rising.

He was clear the city needed no more projects, “because we have enough on our plate.”

Marcus Lush said he was “excited and energised” by his decision to run for Mayor, and believed he had the platform to promote and publicise the region, as had “relentlessly” for the past 20 years.

Current deputy Mayor Nobby Clark admitted the past two years had been tough, but believed that council was in good shape now.

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Three Waters was “not a done deal yet,” and he would continue to tell both sides of the story to Government, that we don’t want our assets stripped away, if elected.

Former deputy Mayor Toni Biddle described herself as an experienced and independent candidate, dedicated to the people, and authentically born and raised in Southland.

As both a mother and a nana, family were still priorities. “I am experienced and aware that there is a very fine line between growth and fiscal responsibility, and this is the key to the success of our city.”

When Nobby outlined that the key issue for affordability of infrastructure was that it kept increasing in cost – noting nine projects had gone up $75.3 million in recent years, he was prompted by the MC on what he would do to cut back costs.

Toni had already jumped in and questioned how it was possible that council had racked up $150 million worth of capital projects and the renewals?

Nobby said if he was Mayor he would claw back $50 million worth of expenditure, starting with parking the $26 million civic administration building.

whatsoninvers.nz asked Toni following the debate, what she would cut back on as Mayor in regard to capital projects, and she also agreed the council office renewal project should be on hold, while pending local government reform.

When the MC asked the candidates about whether the public deserved to see some of the projects finished, Darren was the first to say “absolutely, we have committed to these things, there are people waiting on them, but our dance card is full,” concluding that the city cannot take on anymore projects.

He pointed out that Toni’s reference to the $150 million worth of capital projects was actually subsidised by central government by about a third.

She challenged him on that and questioned why there was no mention of it in the Long Term Plan or the financials.

Darren later clarified that at least $50 million in funding had been allocated to council from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery fund – for capital projects.

We could go on, but you’d be better off watching it for yourself…

Watch our condensed highlights below:

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