Waikato District Council today made a submission to the Local Government Commission outlining transitional and representation issues for Auckland’s southern boundary.
As part of the Auckland Governance changes, it is proposed that on 1 November 2010, approximately 14,000 residents, and the towns of Tuakau, Pokeno, and Mercer will become part of the Waikato District.
The Local Government Commission is currently working on finalising boundary and representation issues, and public submissions on its latest report closed today.
Waikato District Council’s submission proposes the establishment of an office in Tuakau to service the people of Franklin in the new Waikato District.
Waikato District Council Chief Executive, Gavin Ion, said a Tuakau office would be a more logical choice than sharing an office in Pukekohe with Auckland Council, as is currently suggested in the Commission’s recent report.
“It is our intention to have an office that would best accommodate our citizens. Sharing an office in Pukekohe as suggested by the Local Government Commission, would not allow us to optimally serve our citizens from a locational and accessibility point of view,” he said.
The submission also discussed the Tuakau wastewater treatment plant, which will be located in the new Waikato District, but could be managed and operated by Watercare Services.
“We believe it’s important Waikato District Council has a say over the plant’s use and pricing arrangements, to ensure that our ratepayers connected to the plant pay a fair price for accessing Watercare’s services,” Mr Ion said.
Waikato District Council also pointed out the considerable costs associated with the transition including communication, building facilities, computer systems, transitional staffing and project management.
“It is our express view that our ratepayers should not have to subsidise these transition costs. We have asked the Local Government Commission to recommend that government assist with the costs incurred in transferring the new area into the Waikato District.”
Waikato District Council’s submission can be viewed online at www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz.
The Local Government Commission’s final decision on boundary and representation issues will be released on 1 March 2010.
Press release: Waikato District Council