Media release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, 5 July 2013

Enhanced Status Quo for Upper Hutt

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 5 July 2013 — Upper Hutt will not be supporting a Super City, instead applying to the Local Government Commission for an enhanced status quo, supporting the ongoing collaboration between Upper Hutt and Hutt City, and a collective approach to key matters across existing Wellington Regional boundaries.

One Wednesday night, Councilors of Upper Hutt met to determine which option for local governance it would pursue. After an impassioned introduction from local residents clearly in support for retention of local independence, Councilors made a consensus decision, following prior consideration of both the feedback collected through consultation and the implications of all proposed governance models. The decision concludes a period of intense consultation with the local community that garnered record participation, evidencing the strong local desire to retain current boundaries, local decision making and low rates.

The decision to pursue an enhanced status quo was reached in the second sitting of Council on the matter. The opportunity for a vote at the first meeting, held on 26 June, was postponed due to absences by some Councilors. Wednesday’s meeting gained consensus on this important decision attaining seven of the ten possible votes. Those opposing enhanced status quo in preference for a Hutt Valley Unitary model were Cr Peter McCardle, Cr Hellen Swales, and Cr Pat Christiansen. The next step for the Upper Hutt City Council is to prepare its official application to the Local Government Commission for its consideration of an enhanced status quo for the region.

“Council has made the right decision for the people of Upper Hutt” says Upper Hutt Mayor, Wayne Guppy. “Residents were very consistent in their views on the matter, with support for retaining the status quo growing stronger and stronger over the last two years, not faltering despite the intense debate over the issue. Council’s role is to represent these very strong views. The process of getting to this point has proven how proud our residents are of Upper Hutt and how far they will go to protect what they have.”

The enhanced status quo application now being prepared will endorse the existing shared services between the two councils of the Hutt Valley, with a view to extending this collaboration, where practicable. It will also note the effectiveness of a regional approach on key matters, such as the Mayoral Forum, which saw some progress over the last five years.

“The Mayoral Forum built great momentum on collectively tackling key regional issues. This was compromised by the regional governance reform process, where the interests of those promoting the Super City aimed to undermine the good work already underway by suggesting that collaboration was unachievable.” says Mayor Guppy. “Upper Hutt and Hutt City have proved how achievable and effective collaboration can be, and our shared services have benefitted our community across the Hutt Valley. We want to explore the potential to collaborate with our neighbours further, and we don’t need to merge our boundaries to do this.

“Collaboration across the councils in the Wellington Region will lead to better efficiencies, stronger leadership, and shared strategic objectives. Retaining the status quo with this focus allows each independent council the opportunity to align itself to the region while supporting and growing their local community, delivering greater value for money for ratepayers and better community and economic outcomes for the region. The Wellington Region is diverse, with each council catchment representing unique aspects, values, and people. Our application to the Local Government Commission aims to preserve and support this diversity while working with our neighbours to build regional success.”

It is expected that the Local Government Commission will formally call for alternative applications in the coming week. To date, two applications have been submitted; one from the councils of Wairarapa proposing a unitary model, and the other from the Greater Wellington Regional Council proposing regional amalgamation.

ENDS

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