Media statement Monday, July 16th, 2007

Fix Auckland: transformation needed

Transformational reform of local government in Auckland is at the heart of a campaign being launched today.

Its call for action - Fix Auckland - invites Aucklanders to contribute their ideas on how the first city of the Pacific should be governed.

"Auckland's lifestyle is under threat from skyrocketing local government costs while nothing ever gets done efficiently or quickly," said Alasdair Thompson, chief executive of the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern).

EMA is funding the campaign in association with the NZ Council for Infrastructure Development (NZCID) and the One Auckland Trust.

"We are launching Fix Auckland to improve things for everyone," Mr Thompson said.

"The way Auckland is governed makes life in our city too expensive and too frustrating. Everyone is tired of the duplication and waste of our eight councils and their eight sets of different rules, with their rates going up at twice the inflation rate every year.

"They rarely agree on anything that affects more than one council.

"We are promoting a plan for One Auckland not as the final answer but as a starting point for everyone to debate, add to and change.

It's the green thing to do.

"The Fix Auckland campaign is based on research over 18 months that went into the development of the One Auckland plan.

"Broadly speaking, the detailed One Auckland proposal abolishes the seven local councils and the Auckland Regional Council replacing them with a single One Auckland Council (OAC) and about 21 elected community councils all served by a single administration. (More details of the plan are attached or go to www.fixauckland.com )

"By creating a single city governance structure as in the One Auckland plan we anticipate benefits each year equivalent to at least $400 per ratepayer.

"The aim of Fix Auckland is to get the Government to set up an independent commission of inquiry on the council and administration structure supported by most Aucklanders.

"Fix Auckland campaign is being funded by business out of frustration with the lack of timely decision-making, unnecessary delays and extra costs being loaded on transport, consents for developments of all sizes, water supply, and just about every aspect of doing business.

"Its first objective is to consult Aucklanders which was lacking in the plan being hatched between the Government and Auckland's local councils.

"The One Auckland plan is also for all employers and staff alike because traveling anywhere in Auckland has become too slow because of congestion, and is costing us all dearly in fuel and lost time with our families and friends.

"We hope the campaign will make One Auckland an election issue in the local body elections coming up. People should ask local council candidates about their support for One Auckland.

"But our longer term goal is for a One Auckland structure supported by Aucklanders to be in place after the next general election in 2008 and ready for voting at the local body elections in 2010.

"Everyone we speak to about the proposal is all for it. We are finding hardly anyone opposed to the general plan in informal talks with business, education and community leaders or at 28 meetings we have held in the Auckland region on the subject.

"We believe many in both Government and the Opposition unofficially support it."

According to Tourism Auckland, the Maori for Auckland is Tamaki Makau Rau, the city of 100 lovers. It earned this name because it was a place desired by all and conquered by many.

Mr Thompson says, "We can be this place again."

ENDS

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