Ruapehu District Council has agreed to invest $50,000 to better understand the potential amalgamation arrangements available to the district ahead of the Government’s early August deadline for future unitary authority proposals.

The funding will allow Council to investigate possible partnership and boundary options, assess the advantages and disadvantages of each, and support an informed conversation before any amalgamation proposal is put to Government.

Mayor Kirton said the investment would be debt funded, as the benefits and impacts of any future unitary authority arrangement involving Ruapehu would be felt over many years and by future ratepayers.

“The workload on Council staff preparing the Long-Term Plan means we need specialist consultant support to fully understand our options and the pros and cons of each if we are going to make informed decisions within the short timeframe available,” he said.

“Council firmly believes it is not in Ruapehu’s best interests to simply sit back and wait to see what unfolds. We need to take a proactive approach if we want a say in our future.

Government has made it clear that if councils do not put forward proposals, decisions could ultimately be made for them.”

Mayor Kirton said Council also felt that Ruapehu has multiple potential options available, with districts both within and outside the current region expressing interest in discussions.

While we are working with Whanganui on a future water services entity, that does not make amalgamation with Whanganui a foregone conclusion,” he said.

“Although current Government thinking around local government reorganisation appears to align with catchments and existing regional boundaries, the Department of Internal Affairs has indicated it is open to boundary adjustments.

That could potentially include changes to the current Ruapehu District boundaries.”

The Horizons Regional Mayoral Forum has also agreed to consider exploring amalgamation options, including how districts from neighbouring regions could fit into future arrangements.

Mayor Kirton said any future proposal would need to deliver clear and measurable benefits for Ruapehu residents.

“Whatever future arrangements are proposed, Ruapehu should only support amalgamation if it delivers clear, measurable improvements for our ratepayers and strongly protects our local voice.”

© Scoop Media