As part of Waikato District Council checking out the implications of taking over part of the old Franklin District area, it decided at Tuesday’s Council meeting that it will be necessary to rejig many of the current ward boundaries. For the Raglan ward this means that the area it covers will be expanded to include the adjacent rural areas and towns. The expanded ward will include Raglan, Okete, Te Uku, Te Hutewai, Te Mata, Ruapuke, Te Papatapu and Makomako. The Raglan Community Board’s area of responsibility will be aligned to match the same locations. The Community Board would still have six members. Ward Councillor, Clint Baddeley said he welcomed the proposal as people in the expanded area have similar needs and the rural areas had a focus on Raglan town for many activities. There will still only be one Councillor for the ward representing 4,002 residents.
Under the proposal, the adjacent Whaingaroa ward would be adjusted to include Waikokowai, Pukemiro, Glen Massey, Lake Whangape, Ruawaro, Pukemiro, Matira, Waimai, Te Akau, Ruakiwi, Dunmore, Waingaro and Waitetuna. One new Councillor will represent the part of Franklin to be incorporated in the Waikato District Council’s area making 14 Councillors in total.
Council will now recommend these changes to the Local Government Commission. The final decision of the Commission will be made on 1st March 2010.
