Better Wellington

Media release

Thursday 4 December 2014, 1.00pm

Reforms a ‘circuit breaker’ for sluggish region – Better Wellington

Proposed reforms to governance in Wellington will strengthen local communities while making the most of the region’s extraordinary economic and environmental assets, Better Wellington spokesperson John Shewan said today.

“This is the circuit breaker we need. These reforms will allow us to harness resources across the region, sharpen our focus, and realise Wellington’s potential as a national and international hub for innovation, culture, tourism and sport,” Mr Shewan said.

The Local Government Commission today proposed the establishment of a unitary authority for the Wellington region along with eight Local Boards, including three in Wellington City.

The Wellington region Local Boards will have greater powers and broader functions than Auckland boards, in order to strengthen local democratic decision-making.

“Maintaining the status quo of eight local and one regional council tripping over each other is a recipe for stagnation. We have major challenges as a region, especially with our economy lagging behind the rest of the country,” Mr Shewan said.

The Better Wellington group was established earlier in the year by Wellingtonians eager to promote common sense reforms in local and regional government that reflect and reinforce the region’s strengths.

“Over the last decade GDP growth for the Wellington region has been more than a third slower than the rest of New Zealand. Last year Wellington lost 5,000 jobs while Auckland and Canterbury gained 50,000.

“A successful Wellington is one made up of strong communities each contributing to a dynamic and resilient region. By establishing three powerful Local Boards in Central, South and North Wellington to complement a united council properly equipped to tackle regional challenges, this proposal strikes the right balance,” Mr Shewan said.

Under the proposed two-tier model, Local Boards will control a wide range of services currently undertaken by councils, including local transport, libraries, swimming pools, galleries, museums, environmental initiatives and heritage protection.

“This is a far cry from the existing community boards which fill a largely advisory role,” Mr Shewan said. “Local Boards will have the final say in most decisions that affect their communities, and significant resources to match. It’s estimated that Local Boards would spend at least 25% of the new council’s total rates. It’s really only the big overarching issues that would be dealt with by the main council.”

The Local Government Commission is inviting public input into their draft proposal, and Better Wellington is urging fellow residents to rally behind positive change. “It’s really important that people who support amalgamation don’t just sit back and expect it to happen – because it won’t. This is too important to leave to politicians,” Mr Shewan said.

Better Wellington

www.betterwellington.org.nz

END OF RELEASE

The members of the Better Wellington group are: • John Shewan (Spokesperson) • Mike Egan • Sue Elliot • Richard Longman • Martin Shelton • Francie Russell

© Scoop Media