Media Release

26 August 2009

Mayor unimpressed by political posturing on boundaries

The mayor of Rodney says the political point-scoring being played out by some local and national politicians about where the new Auckland super city possible boundaries may be, is destabilising and upsetting for both the residents and council staff in her district.

Penny Webster believes locals deserve clarity from the Government on whether Rodney is to be totally subsumed into the new super city, split up or – as the council prefers – to be left out of the new Auckland Council altogether.

“I believe it is irresponsible of those wanting to advance their own political agenda to speculate and raise conjecture about this issue and it is time for the Government to front up and declare its final decision,” Mayor Webster says.

Mrs Webster believes this is further evidence to support leaving Rodney and out of the super city and to become unitary council in its own right.

“The new Auckland Council should be focused on resolving issues that will most affect metro Auckland and not be distracted by mainly rural, small town and coastal issues that impact on Rodney.”

Mayor Webster is also disappointed by the way the some of the media has handled this issue.

“It is somewhat frustrating and disappointing to see that when an issue specific to Rodney is covered in the media, such as the boundary issue, reporters will go to all and sundry in the region for comment – rather than us,” Mrs Webster added.

Meanwhile, Mrs Webster says people in Rodney have been left in a kind of no-mans land for months, waiting for a final decision on where the northern boundary for the new Auckland Council will be drawn.

“However, unlike the residents and staff of the metro Auckland councils, who have known all along that they will be part of the new super city, we have been made to wait until the Select Committee reports back on September 4,” she adds.

“Now with all the speculation and political posturing being played out in the media over the boundaries, we believe it is time for the Government to take some firm leadership on this and let us know for once and for all if Rodney is to be split, part of the super city or not,” Mrs Webster concluded.

ENDS

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