Media release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 22 November 2013

Local Government Commission agrees to third public meeting in Upper Hutt after overwhelming public response

The Local Government Commission has promised Upper Hutt residents another chance to make their views on the structure of local government in the Wellington region known, after over 100 residents were turned away from their second public meeting on Thursday evening.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 22 NOV 2013—The Local Government Commission will schedule a third public meeting in Upper Hutt early next month, after being overwhelmed by the number of residents at their second public meeting on the structure of local governance in the Wellington region.

The Commission organised two meetings in Upper Hutt to consult with residents ahead of its report on the structure of local government in the Wellington region. Well over 300 people attended a midday meeting at Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre on Thursday, and over 100 people had to be turned away from the evening session at the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club when the 200-person capacity room was filled.

Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy says the high turn-out indicated the strength of feeling amongst Upper Hutt residents about some of the proposed changes to local government in the region.

“Upper Hutt residents turned-out in force to make it clear to the Commission that they don’t want a super-city, they don’t want amalgamation, and they believe that Councils can achieve the efficiency gains they need to by working smarter and working together.”

Mr Guppy commends those residents who took the time to meet with the Commission on this important issue.

“I’m thrilled the community has come together to engage with the Local Government Commission because the outcome of the Commission’s consultation will have a big impact on the future of our city,” he says.

“We promoted the meetings because we wanted to make sure residents were aware they had an opportunity to meet with the Commission and make their views known. While we’re disappointed some residents were turned away, we’re pleased the turn-out was so high because it makes it clear to the Commission and to the rest of the region that Upper Hutt is informed, engaged and proactive about improving local government in the Wellington Region.”

The Commission expects the third public meeting will be scheduled for early December and will release further details once a date, time and venue has been confirmed.

Upper Hutt City Council submitted its alternative application to the Local Government Commission in August, which rejected other proposals to amalgamate local authorities in the region, and instead called for greater collaboration and shared services.

This application drew upon the results of over two years of consultation with Upper Hutt residents about the structure of local government in the region, all of which has indicated strong support for an ‘enhanced status-quo’ scenario which improves the existing governance framework by introducing shared services, encouraging integrated strategic planning and improving regional decision making processes.

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