Media release   24th April 2009

Statement from David Thornton

Referendum on Auckland SuperCity would not give the answer.

The idea of a referendum on SuperCity is, at first sight, an appealing proposal to be promoting.

Unfortunately it has a major snag – the requirement is for a simple Yes or No answer to a very specific question.

What would be the question?

At the present time there are no details of many important issues – for example what powers will be given to the proposed Local Boards, and what will the single rating system be based on, land value or capital value?

At recent public meetings many people appear to support the SuperCity concept but don’t want any councillors elected ‘at large’, and are deeply divided about having a directly elected Mayor with executive powers.

Others express grave concerns about what they will be getting for their rates – and will there be significant ‘wealth distribution’ with the  SuperCity Council collecting all the rates and Local Boards have little or no power to ensure local communities will get a fair slice of the cake.?

So a simple ‘Do you support a SuperCity?’ question would not reflect the real views of the voters.

There are many questions to be asked on SuperCity and a simple question put at a referendum would not give a true reflection of the many and varied views of Auckland’s citizens.

What is needed is much more detail coming from some energetic discussions with the community as the Government’s plan is developed.  

At least there appears to be almost no support for retaining the present system which has seen the financial burden ratepayers rise to intolerable levels.

Ends

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