Reforms a game changer for the Hutt Valley

Residents of the Hutt Valley should keep an open mind when it comes to proposed reform of local government in the Wellington region, the Better Hutt Valley group said today.

“There has been more heat than light in the debate so far, and the release of the Local Government Commission proposal gives us an opportunity to step back and take a fresh look at what’s best for the Hutt and the region,” said group member Derek Wilshere. “We owe it to future generations to have a proper debate about how we govern ourselves.”

Any discussion about governance arrangements should include an honest appraisal of the current model, and opponents of change should be asked how they intend to reverse the tide of jobs and businesses leaving the Hutt Valley.

Over the last decade economic growth in Hutt City has averaged -0.1 per cent compared to 2.1 per cent nationally. Employment has grown at only a third of the national rate over the same period.

“Some high tech companies and science institutions have moved to the Hutt, but not enough to make up for the decline in manufacturing jobs. If we’re going to capitalise on our reputation as ‘technology valley’ we need the region to get behind us. With the best will in the world, the council can’t afford to do the upgrades to roads and infrastructure that are needed to attract the best talent here,” said Mr Wilshere.

“At the moment we’re sending 20,000 commuters into Wellington every day, but getting only a trickle of people in return.”

The Local Government Commission proposes a power-sharing model that creates a united council with the resources and capability to take on major regional challenges. At the same time it protects and strengthens local democracy through properly funded Local Boards, including one in Upper Hutt and one in Lower Hutt.

Local Boards will control a wide range of services currently undertaken by councils, including libraries, swimming pools, galleries, environmental initiatives, community events and town planning, but be freed from the high dollar demands of regional needs like roading, public transport, infrastructure upgrades and economic development.

“The existing community boards perform a largely advisory role, whereas the new Local Boards will be properly resourced and mandated to make local decisions. It’s estimated that Local Boards would spend around 25% of the new council’s total rates. Only the big overarching issues would be dealt with by the main council.”

“Under the current model, major infrastructure typically takes about 70 per cent of a Council’s budget, which leave smaller councils straining to keep up with the demands of growth.

“The Hutt is fortunate to have minimal debt, but it has a low capital base with few assets or investments. How will we upgrade our roads, modernise the campus at Gracefield, or future-proof our flood control management if our population is declining and we have few investments? Under the existing system, the only way to raise more money will be to increase local rates - or do nothing.

“Industrial areas like Seaview can be bustling centres for high tech companies, but only if we start thinking like one economy and back each other. It’s a choice between a region with pockets of prosperity, or a region where we all have a chance to be the best that we can,” said Mr Wilshere.

ends

© Scoop Media