Business Response: Wellington Local Government Review Panel

30 October 2012

Business Response to Wellington Local Government Review Panel

The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the report of the Wellington Region Local Government Review Panel and will carefully scrutinise its proposals over the coming days.

“The Panel has produced a comprehensive report and our initial reaction is very positive,” said Chamber President Richard Stone.

“We have long believed in the need for restructuring of local government in the Wellington region and the panel’s proposals seem very sound.

“The creation of a two-tiered Wellington council is a sensible way to improve both effectiveness and efficiency of local government in the region without sacrificing local democracy. We are hopeful that the government will allow for this in the Local Government Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.

“It is essential that we have the optimal structure for local government in Wellington so that the right decisions are made for the region and not made based on arbitrary boundaries or petty rivalry between districts. The status quo is not an option.

“We are pleased with the special attention that the panel has given to the Wellington CBD given its importance as an economic engine and the business community should be part of any wider representation from outside of councils.

“Not only does the business sector pay almost half of Wellington City’s rate-take, the performance and structure of local government has a significant impact on the business environment and economic growth in the region”, Mr Stone concluded.

ENDS

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