The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance is welcoming Finance Minister Nicola Willis backing our call for Wellington City Council’s infrastructure boss to front up over the Moa Point disaster.

Chief Infrastructure Officer Jenny Chetwynd has refused to be interviewed by the Government’s Moa Point inquiry, despite taking home around $440,000 in salary each year.

Alliance spokesman James Ross said:

“Senior executives closing ranks and burying their heads in the sand is exactly what led to 14 billion litres of raw sewage flowing straight into Cook Strait in the first place. With the Acting Chief Exec defending Chetwynd’s refusal to front, clearly Wellington City Council has learnt nothing from its stuff-up.”

“The Wellington Ratepayers’ Alliance has been calling for accountability on Moa Point from the start. Nicola Willis has put herself firmly on ratepayers’ side by calling out the arrogance of senior officers who think they don’t have to answer for what happened.”

“Front up to the inquiry or pack up your desk. It’s as simple as that.”