Message from Peter Kelly, Upper Hutt City Council Chief Executive
As Chief Executive I wish to acknowledge the findings of the Independent Report on the management of complaints about Farrah Breads Limited and publicly apologise unreservedly on behalf of Upper Hutt City Council to those members of our community who have been severely impacted by the prolonged noise that emanated from the Farrah’s factory in breach of the Council District Plan; and for the hurt caused both to their physical and mental wellbeing.
It was never our intention for the noise breach to go unresolved for over two years, that it did is not good enough and we must learn from this and do better in the future. For that failure I am accountable and accept full responsibility.
In my capacity as Chief Executive of Upper Hutt City Council I support the recommendations in the report and undertake to work expeditiously on a plan to implement them.
I wish to thank Ms Clark and Dentons Kensington Swan and all those who contributed to this report. I also wish to particularly acknowledge the efforts of Mr McLean and other residents to push Council to look back and learn from this. I know it’s been a long road for them, and I respect their determination and thank them for it.
In closing, I again apologise unreservedly to those members of our community for the hurt caused impacting both their physical and mental wellbeing.
Upane, ka upane whiti te ra – advancing together towards a brighter future.
The Chief Executive will also be writing personally, throughout March, to all those who made complaints to Council to apologise.
If members of the public wish to contact the Chief Executive with regards to the above – they can contact peter.kelly@uhcc.govt.nz or 04 527 2110.