Petition spurs poll on amalgamated council

Wairarapa residents will get to vote in November on whether to amalgamate their three councils after Masterton councillors stirred up support.

The Local Government Commission announced on Tuesday it had received a valid petition for a poll on its proposal for a Wairarapa District Council.

A successful petition required the signatures of 10 per cent of registered electors from any one of the three districts.

In a whirlwind effort, conducted largely by sitting councillors, the Masterton district pulled together more than the necessary 1832 signatures.

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson, who is pro-amalgamation, was one of several council members who led the signature drive and collected more than 2000 signatures in less than two weeks in an effort to trigger a poll before the end of the year.

‘‘It’s taken a lot of hard work and we’re very pleased,’’ Patterson said.

‘‘It’s been four and half years since we put our application in and the community has had this hanging over our heads for a long time. The sooner the poll, the sooner the decision,’’ she said.

Postal voting documents will be sent out from November 20 and voting will close on December 12.

Commission chairman Sir Wira Gardiner said this was a significant proposal for local government arrangements, and should have the mandate of the people of the Wairarapa if it was to proceed.

‘‘There will now be a poll on whether there is a new combined Wairarapa District Council, and that is good for local democracy,’’ he said.

‘‘Having an outcome on the proposal in December will also give the people in Wairarapa, and in particular council members and staff, certainty about their council arrangements as they go off for their Christmas break.’’

If 50 per cent or more of ballots oppose the proposal, it will not go ahead and the region’s councils will remain as they are now.

If the majority of residents vote for one council, an election for the new council will not be held until at least October 2018.

This would replace the existing three district councils: South Wairarapa District Council, Carterton District Council and Masterton District Council.

‘‘When the ballot papers begin to arrive in mid-to-late November, we encourage people across the community to participate in the poll and help shape the future of the Wairarapa,’’ Gardiner said.