Council response to Stewart Murray Wilson release - 16/08/2012

Wanganui District Council has today unanimously voted to oppose the release of Stewart Murray Wilson to the Wanganui District.

“Our Council does not want Stewart Murray Wilson to be released into any community, however we must first have regard for our local community,” said Mayor Annette Main.

At today’s extraordinary meeting Council unanimously passed the following resolutions:

THAT the Council urgently lobby for retrospective legislation and political action to stop the parole of Stewart Murray Wilson into the Wanganui community

THAT the Council proceeds to a judicial review of the Parole Board’s decision to release Stewart Murray Wilson into the Wanganui community

THAT the Council co-ordinates a community shunning/trespass of Stewart Murray Wilson if he is paroled into the Wanganui community.

That the Council is considering the Resource and Building consents and a decision will be made in due course

“Since we all learnt of the decision nine days ago to release Stewart Murray Wilson into our district, our community has been faced with a difficult and challenging issue that has caused concern, distress and anger amongst our community.

“In the past week the public and Councillors have been able to ask their questions of the Police and the Corrections Services and been given a voice. That voice is saying a very loud no to Stewart Murray Wilson being paroled to Wanganui.

“At tonight’s meeting the Council was unified in our decision to take all appropriate action to stop this man’s release to our part of New Zealand.

“Our first and over-riding concern must be to our own community, their concerns and their safety.”