10 June 2015

Hutt Valley relieved by amalgamation backdown

Hutt City residents are breathing a sigh of relief with news their city won’t be amalgamated but are furious at the time and money wasted, says the group formed to fight the supercity.

Hands off the Hutt co-chairman Chris MacKay says that while he is pleased the city took down the bureaucrats, there is resentment that the Local Government Commission took its idea so far.

“They've wasted thousands of hours of good folks’ time – hours we should have spent building our communities rather than saving them from wacky ideas.

“The Commission ignored numerous surveys, submissions and public discussion. It wasn't until the Commissioners met the public in the flesh at hearings that they realised what they were up against.

“We are glad that common sense prevailed and they finally listened to the will of the people.”

Co-chairman Michael Ellis says there is now no prospect of any change at all.

“The resounding 'no' from Hutt residents, and almost 90% of the region, is impossible for the Local Government Commission to ignore. Despite the Commission's claim it will work with councils on alternative changes, the announcement was the end of any shifting of power to a regional organisation.

“This is a victory won by all those in the Hutt who saw that a super city made no sense and made sure their voices were heard.”

Mr Ellis says the whole process had been a distraction for the region, when the inevitable conclusion was to retain the status quo.

“Proponents of the Super City have spent over a million dollars of ratepayer money only find out what they could have found out by just listening to their residents – no change was needed or wanted.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media