Public hearings have now been completed on the Draft Proposal for Reorganisation in Northland by the Local Government Commission.
Commissioners visited Whangarei, Kerikeri, Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Mangawhai, Waitangi/Paihia and Dargaville during the consultation process, as well as some of the region’s more remote places, such as Kaeo and the heart of the Waipoua Forest, to hear from local iwi and hapu at their offices and marae.
The summary of submissions, released by the Commission in February, included common themes among the questions and concerns raised, such as whether the scale and geographical variation of the proposed district or region is too large, and if there is potential for lessened local input and access to councillors under the proposed single unitary authority structure.
The question around whether rates should be based on land value or capital value was raised, as was the powers of the proposed community boards compared to the existing local boards and district councils, in particular around levels of responsibility and allocation of funding.
Differences between urban and rural communities were highlighted, as was the level of Maori involvement and the future levels and cross-subsidisation of services.
The question over debt management and whether Whangarei will have to pay for other councils’ existing debts was raised, as was the concern that prosperous areas would bear the extra burden of those in less affluent areas or where much-needed maintenance had been deferred as a short-term solution to debt levels.
This is an important time for Northland, and we will continue to follow the reorganisation as it evolves.
Source: LGC Newsletter April 2014
