Survey shows opinions mixed

A random survey of over 1,200 people submitted their views on four broad options for the wider region’s future local government. Seventy-seven per cent of wanted some change, according to an initial analysis of submissions.  Only 23 per cent wanted no change.

In Wairarapa the highest proportion (45 per cent) favoured options in which Wairarapa would have a stand-alone Wairarapa council taking on regional council responsibilities. Twenty-five per cent wanted all existing councils to remain the same but share more services.  Twenty-three per cent were in favour of a single council for the whole Wellington region including Wairarapa, with 10 local boards elected to look after ‘local’ services.  Seven per cent said there should be another choice of option.

Wairarapa Governance Review Working Party chair, Lyn Patterson, said the consultation was just one of a series of activities underway in the region in order to identify a preferred governance option that best supports the delivery of local government services  for Wairarapa.

“When new legislation is introduced in November “It is important that Wairarapa is in a position to present its own proposal based on good information and community views” Mrs. Patterson said.

The working party includes the three mayors, seven elected Wairarapa councillors and the three council CEOs. Work on the financial implications of becoming a single council was underway with an initial study of options for Wairarapa by local government experts Morrison Low.

The working party aims to start painting a picture of what a single Wairarapa council might look like –  for example how many councillors there might be and how communities of interest would be represented.

Meanwhile, results of a Colmar Brunton opinion survey will be released in mid-August. They will help inform the Wairarapa councils’ views on the preferred option.

Members of the public can find more information at the working party’s dedicated website, www.wairarapasfuture.govt.nz and at council offices and libraries throughout Wairarapa.  They can have their say through the website or by writing to their district council.