Guidance on submissions

A pronounced economic decline has had serious social implications for Wellington region, according to governance panel chairman Sir Geoffrey Palmer.

The independent panel, comprising Sir Geoffrey, Sir Wira Gardiner, Sue Driver and Bryan Jackson, has until the end of October to consult with the region’s residents and form a recommendation to Wellington regional and Porirua councils before they make their own submissions to the Local Government Commission.

The panel released an issues paper last week to guide public submissions. The paper identified a fall in the number of voters in local body elections as a cause for concern.

In 2010 the voter turnout in the region ranged from 39 to 57 per cent.

It questioned whether larger councils with greater responsibility would attract better candidates and whether voters would therefore be more likely to vote.

Hutt ratepayers could question why, in an amalgamated council, they should bail Wellington out of its debt or leaky homes liabilities. Wellington ratepayers might have concerns about sharing the cost of making up the Hutt’s infrastructure deficit.

• A two- tier system with a regional council to rate and provide regional services and local services by the existing local councils.

• Two regional authorities replacing the existing regional council and all territorial authorities; one comprising South Wairarapa, Carterton and the Masterton district councils, and the second, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Upper Hutt and Kapiti Coast councils.

• A single super-council similar to Auckland with local boards.

To read the issues paper visit wellingtonreviewpanel.org.nz

Make a submission online, email to info@wellingtonreviewpanel.org.nz, or post to: Issues Paper, Wellington Region Local Government Review, PO Box 11-646, Manners St, Wellington by September 7 .