LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION

MANA KĀWANGATANGA Ā ROHE

Media release

20 November 2009

New southern boundary proposed for Auckland

The Local Government Commission presented a proposed new southern boundary for Auckland today as part of its proposals on the boundaries and representation arrangements for the new Auckland Council.

The Commission heard a variety of views about where the southern boundary should be located.

Commission Chair Sue Piper said the criteria for determining the new boundary was specified in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 which requires the boundary to follow the existing southern boundary of the Auckland Region, “as closely as practicable,” except that:

• the Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi catchments must (as far as practicable) be included in the Waikato Region and Waikato District and

• the part of Franklin District between the Mangatangi Stream catchment and the Firth of Thames must (as far as practicable) be included in Waikato Region and either Hauraki District or Waikato District.

The Act also requires the Commission to satisfy itself that the determination will maximise, in a cost effective manner, the current and future well-being of the local authorities and the communities concerned.

“We took the existing boundary as a starting point and made adjustments to ensure that the new boundary achieved the purposes set out in the Act,” Ms Piper said.

The Commission is proposing:

• The southern boundary of Auckland includes within it the entire urban areas of Waiuku and Pukekohe, and immediately adjacent future growth areas.

This means the following areas will be included as part of Auckland:

• The part of the Waiuku urban area currently in the Waikato Region (and adjacent future growth areas)

• Those parts of Pukekohe currently in the Waikato Region

• The adjacent area of Buckland

• The area to the east of Pukekohe, north of Mill road.

The Commission recommends that the Waikato District Council and new Auckland

Council have an agreement that permits residents north of the river to access appropriate services through Auckland Council offices in Pukekohe. If necessary the Commission will include a service delivery arrangement in its determination.

“The Waikato District Council, the Franklin District Council and the Auckland Transition

Agency should immediately begin discussions on these matters,” Ms Piper said.

The Commission noted the expected growth of areas around the new southern boundary. To ensure good local government for the boundary area in the future, the Commission is of the view that the appropriateness of the boundary and the best means of delivering services will need to be reviewed in the short to medium term.

Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi catchments

Section 33 (2) of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 provides that the

Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi catchments be included in the Waikato Region and Waikato District.

In line with this provision, the Commission proposes that the new Auckland boundary follows the catchment, conforming to the property boundaries.

It also proposes that the regional parks in the area are vested in the Auckland Council.

Kaiaua

The Commission is required to determine where the area between the Mangatangi

Stream catchment and the Firth of Thames – centred on the township of Kaiaua – should be located.

Following consultation with various parties, the Commission proposes the Kaiaua area be located in Hauraki District, except for a small area immediately south of Matingarahi

Point to remain in Auckland.

Firth of Thames

The regional boundary in the Firth of Thames is yet to be determined and separate consultation will be carried out on this.

Transitional issues

Watercare Services will retain ownership of the dams in the Hunua Ranges.

In respect to the Auckland Regional Council’s regional parks in the Hunua Ranges, the

Commission proposes that these parks be vested in the Auckland Council.

Other assets (and liabilities) will be assigned according to the communities they serve, in line with the Local Government Act 2002.

The Tuakau wastewater treatment plant serves communities on both sides of the boundary and the Government will decide ownership of this asset through legislation.

The Local Government Commission is now seeking feedback on its proposals, which can be viewed at www.lgc.govt.nz

It is inviting suggestions that will improve the proposed arrangements. Suggestions should take account of the requirements of the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009. www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0032/29.0/096be8ed8045ec6b.pdf

All submissions need to be received by the Commission by 5pm on Friday 11 December 2009.

Ms Piper says the tight timeframe reflects the need to have all arrangements in place by March 2010 in order to prepare for the local elections in October 2010.

Ends

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