Two massive issues the People’s Choice-Labour campaign intends to focus on for the 2019 local body elections are water quality and transport, People’s Choice chair Keir Leslie said today.

The People’s Choice-Labour campaign launch on August 31 heard plans for light rail and People’s Choice Candidates also made water a priority issue.

“The People’s Choice campaign is totally committed to pushing light rail,” said Mr Leslie.

“To future proof Christchurch for climate change it is necessary to go back and look at the options of a light rail network.

”We need light rail from Hornby to Riccarton running into the central city. Light rail also needs to extend to Papanui and the trains need to be integrated with bus services.

”Long term this network needs to extend down Colombo St to Cashmere and also take in important hubs such as the University and Linwood.

”A light rail system may not happen immediately but Christchurch needs to start planning and preparing now,” said Mr Leslie.

The People’s Choice campaign launch also served as an opportunity for People’s Choice Environment Canterbury candidate Jenny Hughes to highlight that water quality is a top priority for all the People’s Choice Environment Canterbury candidates.

”The People’s Choice candidates are offering a group of strong candidates dedicated to saving our water and upholding democracy – a task which no independent candidates can promise,” Jenny Hughes said.

For copies of the speeches, or photographs from the People’s Choice campaign launch please feel free to contact:

The People’s Choice chair, Keir Leslie – (027) 309 3322

Media Advisor, Kevin List – (021) 426 902

Authorised by Jake McLellan 6 Braddon St, Addington.