CommunityAction to appeal Community Board Axing.

CommunityAction for People and Planet will be lodging an appeal with the Local Government Commission against the Tasman District Council’s recommendation that the Districts existing Community Boards in Motueka and Golden Bay be disbanded. “This move erodes local democracy, and flies in the face of community feedback. Preserving local ownership of local issues within these unique communities is vital”. Said CommunityAction coordinator Duncan Eddy.

“CommunityAction asks whether axing existing Community Boards is acceptable in light of sections 37K and 37KZA of the Local Government Act. Motueka and Golden Bay have their own unique identities, as do many areas in this large and diverse district. Given the ongoing flip flopping by Council in this review of local representation, this issue should have been deferred until the next representation review.” “There was a widespread belief in Motueka that our Community Board would be retained, due to earlier widely proposed Council proposals which Council backtracked on at the last minute. This move will not increase local trust in the TDC.”

“Residents with Community Boards were overwhelmingly supportive of their Boards being retained. Many residents without Community Boards also supported this proposal. There were also calls for more Boards with greater delegated powers and responsibility. Neither of these issues were reflected in Councils decision.”

“Community Boards have a vital role to play. Today’s decision is another demonstration of how centralised decision-making disempowers communities, and why we need more local meaningful input into local planning, management and decision-making.” Mr Eddy concluded

ENDS

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