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Auckland governance inquiry welcomed

NZPA | Tuesday, 31 July 2007
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A Royal Commission of Inquiry would be able to objectively determine the best structure to lead Auckland, the Council of Infrastructure Developments says.

Others have also welcomed the Government's announcement yesterday of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into how Auckland should be governed.

Since last year the Government has been working with the eight councils running New Zealand's largest city to see if they could be better organised.

Local Government Minister Mark Burton said the commission would examine and report on what local and regional governance arrangements were required for the Auckland region over the foreseeable future.

"The commission provides the opportunity for a broader and independent assessment of what is needed to achieve Auckland's potential," Mr Burton said.

The commission's membership and terms of reference are yet to be set but Mr Burton hoped it would report in late 2008.

Council for Infrastructure Development chief executive Stephen Selwood said reform of Auckland's complex local governance structure was critical to transforming Auckland into a leading 21st century metropolitan region which could compete on the international stage.

"This requires significant investment in our infrastructure including high speed broadband, effective transport networks, high quality water services and resilient energy supply."

It also required advancing arts, sporting and cultural identity plus strong cohesion across a diverse multicultural society.

But progress had been "tortuously slow, plagued by indecision, competing leadship, inadequate regional funding and complex approval processes".

Mr Selwood said tinkering around the edges of existing governance structures would not achieve the kind of change that was required.

The commission of inquiry would be able to evaluate proposals including the proposed "One Auckland" structure.

Alasdair Thompson, chief executive of the Northern Employers and Manufacturers Association, said the Government would be thanked by Aucklanders for generations to come for its decision to establish the commission of inquiry.

"The inquiry will give us the chance to set our city on a sustainable course for the future and at the same time to put local back into local government," he said.

National leader John Key welcomed the proposal for a royal commission and said it was along the lines he had proposed in a recent speech.

"It's critical that we get buy-in from a wide range of Auckland decision-makers," Mr Key said.

Auckland has four city and three district councils, as well the Auckland Regional Council.

Last year, the four city mayors discussed the proposal of a super-council.

However, the idea was shelved after opposition from the Rodney, Papakura and Franklin districts, as well as the ARC, who were all shut out of the discussions.

It also met opposition from several of the mayors' own councillors.

Meanwhile, Mr Burton said the Auckland Regional Project Report showed the Auckland councils had sufficient agreement on some steps towards stronger regional leadership:

  • A "strengthened regional council" (possibly called Greater Auckland) with the current council's functions plus some additional responsibilities such as tourism management, regional economic development and significant events management;

  • A "One Plan for Auckland" to promote social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being through action plans; and

  • A committee of the regional council known as the Regional Sustainable Development Forum to develop the "One Plan".

    Councils aim to have membership and operation of the forum decided before the 2007 local elections and by the end of January 2008 all the various councils are to agree on the transfer of responsibilities to the regional council.

    Mr Burton said central government would continue to support Auckland towards greater collaboration and improved planning for the region.

    Last week, the Northern Employers and Manufacturers Association called for a super-council for Auckland, while National leader John Key promised reforms.

    Others have advocated ideas such as reducing the number of councils and retaining the status quo but with more infrastructure being built and run by region wide organisations.


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