Greater Wellington agrees process for local government reform

Greater Wellington Regional Council this morning approved a process aimed at progressing the development of a proposal for local government reform in the Wellington region to be put to the Local Government Commission in October this year.

A major element of the Regional Council’s proposal is the establishment of an Independent Panel to develop a preferred option.

The Regional Council will now be talking with the region’s city and district councils, and other regionally representative organisations, to enlist them as partners in this process. Those discussions will also seek input into the terms of reference for the Independent Panel as well as recommendations for Panel membership.

To be effective, the members of an independent panel will need to understand Wellington regional and local issues and have an understanding of local government. The panel will also need to have amongst its members some knowledge of infrastructure issues, resource management planning, local government financial management and Treaty of Waitangi settlement issues.

The Regional Council’s process is intended to fit within the model outlined by the Government last week. Under this model public submissions for change will be received by the Local Government Commission. Public consultation processes, including an option for a referendum, will be led by that Commission.

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ENDS

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