7 January 2013

Multi Council Working Party to Progress Possible Model for Review of Local Government for the Wellington Region

A working party of the Mayors and Chair of Kapiti Coast District Council, Porirua City Council, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council, is working to potentially develop a preferred model for local government in the Wellington region.

Porirua City Councillor Ken Douglas, has been appointed Chair of the working group. He says the model being developed is based on a unitary council. As part of this, the working party is considering options with local boards or community boards.

“The working party’s recommendations will be considered by each of the participating councils. It is expected that each Council will consult with its own community and the wider region on the preferred model,” Cllr Douglas says.

The working party will possibly lodge a joint application for local government reorganisation with the Local Government Commission this year.

Any proposal considered for the Region will not affect the 2013 local government elections which will be held under current structures.

“We prefer that the Local Government Commission has time to consider proposals and release a draft proposal for reorganisation prior to the next local government elections in 2013, with a final reorganisation scheme decided in 2014. And we expect there will be a region-wide referendum on the final proposal before it is confirmed.”

Cllr Douglas says the working party has agreed to actively engage with the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa councils to share information and discuss issues in common.

ENDS

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