Amalgamation - Bigger May Not Be Better

Wellington Mayoral candidate Celia Wade-Brown suggests a proposal to amalgamate many of the local Councils is being set up.

Celia says "I am sceptical whether wholesale amalgamation would improve local character, costs to ratepayers or democracy."

She believes that there may be some room for improvement in regional governance. With the new regional Environmental Protection Agency arriving soon, the regulatory functions of Regional Council may need some changes.

"From my viewpoint in Wellington, the Hutt Councils could unite - but is that what the Hutt Valley residents want to happen?"

Local character is essential. Given the differences between the urban form of the cities, she wonders whether people elected from outside Wellington would appreciate and support our compact urban form and sense of place. "Every city has its own character and the wider region has some fine spots, such as Jackson Street, Pataka Museum and Belmont Regional Park. However, in Hutt City the railway stations are far away from the centre. In Porirua the shopping centre looks like the worst kind of car-dominated mall. Do Wellingtonians want that quality of design and planning for our city?"

A significant argument put forward by supporters of amalgamation is that it will reduce costs. "I'm not convinced that Auckland will be cheaper to run over the next three years. Larger companies are not necessarily more efficient than smaller ones so why shoudl larger Councils be mroe efficient? Economies of scale in purchasing can be achieved by cooperation between Councils. Shared services for IT, building nspections and emergency response can happen without amalgamation" says the City Councillor.

Amalgamation reduces democratic representation. After attending many candidate meetings, Celia says "Over this election campaign, some Regional Council candidates have been diligent in attending public meetings, raising issues and following up public transport issues. They still remain relatively invisible and unaccountable compared to city councillors. Electing people over too wide an area diminishes local accountability, contact and representation."

As far back as February, Celia Wade-Brown argued for early discussion with the wider community about regional governance.
She says, "I wanted the residents and businesses of Wellington to identify issues. Local people can discuss whether regional and local responsibilities are well aligned to community needs before a proposal is put together. That's what early engagement means to me. The consultants asked a narrow group of stakeholders and I suspect the public will be asked to react to an amalgamation proposal."

The Councils have promised wider engagement but only after a proposal has been developed.

The following amendment Celia Wade-Brown moved was lost.

a) adding early community engagement on what governance issues, problems and opportunities exist.

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/haveyoursay/meetings/committee/Strategy_and_Policy/2010/11Feb1230/pdf/11_February_2010_Minutes.pdf

ENDS

© Scoop Media