Meeting will air your views

Tawa residents are being given the opportunity to express their views on local government reform.

The Tawa Community Board has organised a meeting at the community centre at 4pm this Sunday, April 7, where Wellington City Council will outline the two options being proposed against the status quo.

The first option is one council across the Wellington region with a single tier of decision-making from a mayor and 27- 29 councillors elected from local wards. Some community boards could be established at the discretion of the new council – where communities demonstrate support for them and the council agrees.

The second option is one council with two tiers of decision-making – a governing council and local boards. Other than the mayor, there would be 20 to 22 councillors elected from local wards.

Both options would see Tawa and Glenside North become part of a Porirua ward encompassing 68,500 people.

Under option 1 the Porirua ward would have four councillors and no further representation unless one or more community boards were to be established.

Under option 2 the Porirua ward would have three councillors and, beneath that, a local board comprising nine members.

Under the present set-up the Tawa Community Board, with eight members, including two Wellington city councillors, represents a community of 14,900 people.

The Tawa Community Board does not have a set view at this stage, says chairman Malcolm Sparrow, but it is keen to know the views of residents.

Mr Sparrow says he does not see how absorption into the Porirua ward could be a good thing for the Tawa community.

‘‘What’s important right now is for the voice of the local community to be heard.’’