Should we merge with Lower Hutt?
With the news of Wairarapa’s three councils possibly merging into one super-council we asked you what you thought of Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt following suit and combining. While Neighbourly respondents opposed to the idea were in the majority (with several wondering why the question was even being asked) there were a select few who thought a merger could be for the better.
TRACEY ULTRA, SILVERSTREAM
No, we don’t want to inherit Lower Hutts debt and higher rates. We can share public services with Lower Hutt without merging.
MARY BETH TAYLOR, WALLACEVILLE-WHITEMANS VALLEY
No. The two cities are working positively and productively together as they are. The suggestion to explore more shared services to increase efficiencies has been successful and will continue. We have established (several times now) that we cherish our own unique identities and access to our own local democracy and wish to protect and promote these in our own communities.
RALPH POWER, PINEHAVEN
We have survived the Wellington amalgamation and I lived through the Auckland merger which just made the local government more powerful and took away the rate payers’ right of consultation. Whether we have a council you don’t agree with, at least we have the right to speak. Enlarge that gap and we have no rights.
DEBBIEWARNOCK, SILVERSTREAM
Leave it, think it is important that both the Upper and Lower Hutt City Councils remain as they are. I wish this issue would just go away, so a definite no.
BRETT WEAVER, RIVERSTONE TERRACES
Poor old Wairarapa only has the chance to save 10 million over the next 10 years even by the most optimistic estimates. The reality will be what Auckland got. A lot less for a lot more.
MAUREEN O’KEEFE, BIRCHVILLE
Yes, yes, yes, to pay one mayor and all the hangers-on for one council would be a great saving to us ratepayers. Wairarapa have seen the ‘light’ and good on them.
MICHAEL ROMANOS, PINEHAVEN
The most efficient, effective and influential way of Governing should hold sway. And this should be capped by the least amount of taxes imposed as possible. This is especially relevant as local taxes are second tier taxes to that of Central Government taxes. There are tried and proven ways of governing so that localised areas and issues are properly considered and accommodated. In this way an amalgamation of the Hutt Valley or the Hutt ValleyWellington-Porirua-Kapiti can quite easily be set-up.
MARY COONEY, WALLACEVILLE-WHITEMANS VALLEY
Lower Hutt is a totally different city with different issues, needs and concerns than ours. I say no.
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WHAT YOU SAID