Hutt Valley Councils Combine to Consult On Future Local Governance

Hutt Valley’s two city councils will ask residents for their views on the future of regional governance in a combined consultation beginning on Tuesday 28 May.

City Mayors, Ray Wallace, Lower Hutt, and Wayne Guppy, Upper Hutt, in a joint statement today, say they want to ensure accurate information about possible future options are shared with communities in the Valley.

“We have always worked closely together and we believe our people should have an opportunity to air their views about any future local government reform.

“Both our councils were told in polls last year that the majority of residents wanted the status quo to remain with more shared services and, if forced into an amalgamation, a united Hutt Valley was the next preferred choice.

“We will put out the options of the enhanced status quo model, a United Hutt Valley Council, or a single council for the Wellington region, in a bid to get a clear direction on the preferences of our communities within the Hutt Valley,” they say.

A website www.yourvoiceyourchoice.org.nz will remain open through to Friday 14 June.

“Our view has been, and will continue to be, that we will listen to the voice of the communities we serve and then make decisions about whether or not submissions will be made to the Local Government Commission.

“This is a time for our communities to stand together with a shared voice to ensure we have a say in our own future,” they say.
Both councils will also use the results of the Colmar Brunton telephone survey conducted last year and run a second survey alongside this current consultation.

“It is important we have a strong and robust statement about what our communities think,” they say.

ENDS

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