Hutt must heed warning on Australian ‘disease’

Hands off the Hutt says Lower Hutt residents should listen to the warnings of a Queensland group who say amalgamation will have disastrous consequences for the region.

The Queensland Local Government Reform Alliance (QLGRA) said earlier this week that the effect of recent amalgamations has been devastating for their towns, cities and communities. Chairman of the group Bob Johnson called amalgamation a ‘disease’ and warned New Zealanders against falling into the same trap.

During the past seven years Queensland has seen the amalgamation of 157 councils into 73. Although originally estimated at A$28 million, the actual costs accounted to more than A$200 million. The process is now reversing, with a number of cities allowed to return to their previous governance, while others remain trapped.

Hands off the Hutt co-leader Chris MacKay says Lower Hutt residents have the chance to avoid the Queensland experience by rejecting the Local Government Commission’s proposal now.

“Amalgamation always costs more, and always lets you down. We must heed the warnings of those who have tried and seen it fail.

“Queensland’s experience was much like those of other major cities such as Toronto. Founded on false promises of a greater connection to local government, but fraught with ballooning costs and a failure to deliver on those promises.”

QLGRA’s Bob Johnson said of the Queensland amalgamation “The bureaucracy and politicians were convinced that larger local government would be more efficient economically, as well as being easier to control and administer – they were beyond wrong and significantly under-researched.

“Families and rate payers are so disconnected from their local government they do not know who to turn to. There have been disruptions to services, a decline in Financial Assistance Grants and confusion as to where council boundaries lie. Our city lines have been blurred and we have lost a sense of where we all belong.”

Chris MacKay says residents should email the Commission to let them know they oppose any sort of amalgamation.

To make a submission against the Local Government Commission’s proposal visit www.handsoffhutt.co.nz/make-a-submission.

ENDS

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