Democratic representation is important for people living in our valley. I have told readers of the Vibrant Hutt magazine that we need to have our voice heard.
As Mayor of Lower Hutt, I look at proposals to amalgamate councils in our region and I’m concerned about the potential loss of open democracy and regional representation.
A reputable Colmar Brunton research study came back and said 61 per cent of people living in Lower Hutt want to keep the existing boundaries. We tested the findings by conducting our own consultation. There were nearly 1000 responses and the majority view was to keep our current boundaries.
The people of the Hutt have a number of concerns:
· We don’t want to be liable for the high debts of some councils in the region.
· Other councils have published plans to increase spending and rates by double that planned for the Hutt. Our residents don’t want to fund those spending plans. A Supercity could lead to higher rates for the Hutt.
· We don’t want to lose control of our future. Under a Supercity Hutt residents would need to get support from Wellington and Porirua councillors to secure funding for local initiatives and important infrastructure projects.
· We don’t want a council that could be dominated by party politics
If change is to happen, community feedback strongly favours a merger of Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt councils into one Hutt Valley Council. We have much more in common with Upper Hutt than we do with the rest of region, including areas such as the Kapiti Coast. The Valley councils have a similar culture, similar debt and rate levels and similarly prudent plans when it comes to future expenditure.
The two Hutt cities already work well together. Our Silverstream landfill initiative is a great example of two local authorities working together to provide a top facility that is one of the best in New Zealand. We share an efficient wastewater system and work together well to deliver many other quality services.If change is to happen, community feedback strongly favours a merger of Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt councils into one Hutt Valley Council. We have much more in common with Upper Hutt than we do with the rest of region, including areas such as the Kapiti Coast. The Valley councils have a similar culture, similar debt and rate levels and similarly prudent plans when it comes to future expenditure.
Of course we would have key issues to work through if the two councils were to become one Hutt Valley Council. This includes matters like where staff would be located and details of elected representation.
As Mayor of Lower Hutt, I will discuss these matters with Upper Hutt City Council over the coming months with an open mind. I will also ensure that any decision is discussed with out community.
I came to the meeting on Monday 26th November about Regional Governance to speak to my submission on the HCC options. My main message is that we have to think about how the "once council" whatever that ends up being, will operate at a Regional level under the Resource Management Act. GWRC works really well, often better than regional authorities in other parts of the country. They have a set of robust plans which they are working on to make into a single plan, and their staff are all trained to deal with regional environmental issues - issues to do with soil, air and water quality and hazards such as flooding. They manage land development in the greater Wellington Region - if the split of councils as currently proposed by HCC occurs, I am still not sure how this new grouping will tackle regional environmental issues. As I stated at the meeting on Monday, I really love living in the Hutt Valley, I think HCC does a brilliant job, and I am sure they are capable of dealing with a "one council" situation - but I still can't find any information on how it intends to achieve this and also meet its responsibilities under the Resource Management Act. It would be a waste of resources to reinvent the wheel, and it could end up costing even more than HCC thinks it is saving by only merging with Upper Hutt City. The council would still have to establish regional planners/resource advisors and plans and policy - information that is already in place under the current GWRC regime. Sure you can retrain people or hire suitably qualified people for the new set up, but why would you do that when there is a perfectly good system already in place. I challenge the talented Hutt City Council to use those great skills of yours to do something wise and brave and make it work, but don't mess around with things that work. I don't believe your identity will be lost with a one city scenario - you will still have local character and interest and features and the people who make it that way. I look forward to more debate.
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