Waimakariri's councillors have questioned the pressure from central Government, after councillors were asked to prepare almost 30 reports in just eight months. 

The Waimakariri District Council endorsed four submissions to Government at a council meeting on Tuesday [September 30] and expressed concern at the workload being put on local councils to respond in short timeframes. 

Councillor Joan Ward said the council had now made 29 submissions so far this year, which was ‘‘humongous work for our staff’’. 

Mayor Dan Gordon said not all councils had the capacity to respond. 

‘‘The number of submissions which are coming through is huge. We are constantly called upon for our views. 

‘‘It’s a bit of a minefield at times and I know governments have an agenda which they want to get through but keeping up with all of that is a lot of work for our staff.’’ 

The submissions included feedback on the Government’s ‘Going for Housing Growth’ legislation as part of the Resource Management Act reform, the proposed Woodend Bypass toll, the Local Government (System Improvements) Bill and the review of the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan. 

Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson reminded the council of the need to consult with Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga on legislation which effects them. 

He said he was also concerned at the pressures on staff.

‘‘The number of submissions that have been thrown our way over the last 12 months is getting beyond a joke.’’ 

Council policy and corporate planning team leader Sylvia Docherty said staff were also working on a submission for the code of conduct section of the Local Government (System Improvements) Bill and feedback on the Anti-social Road Use Legislation Amendment Bill. 

The council’s submission on the ‘Going for Housing Growth’ programme supported ‘the overall intention’ of the proposed legislation. 

But it wants the Government to retain existing spatial planning frameworks, to maintain town centres ‘‘as focal points for economic activity’’, and to ‘‘preserve local decision-making to reflect community values’’. 

The council submitted against the proposed Woodend Bypass toll, citing concerns it will add cost to ratepayers as the council mitigates the impact of increased traffic in Kaiapoi and Tuahiwi. Ms Docherty said the work was far from over. 

‘‘We are aware of legislation expected to come through between now and December, so this is a continual process, and we will be here to support the new council in giving feedback.’’ 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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