Rodney Mayor Penny Webster says she is gob smacked by the new Auckland Council’s northern boundary, which has effectively split the Rodney district in half.
A special select committee report, released today, has recommended that Rodney District be split into two regions. It will see northern Rodney merging with Kaipara District and the southern part of the district becoming part of the new Auckland Council. The division line follows a line between the mouth of the Puhoi River and the mouth of the Makarau River.
“It just doesn’t make any common sense,” Mayor Webster says. “It may have made a little more sense if the boundary had been drawn to include the entire Kaipara harbour.
“This is the worst of both worlds for the people of Rodney with the committee just drawing an arbitrary line across Rodney from Waiwera north.”
Mrs Webster says the majority of people in Rodney have been consistent and not wanting the district split up.
“Our communities in the north have now been relegated to second class status by being forced into an expanded Kaipara District. While the people in Orewa and Helensville, who do not see themselves as Aucklanders, now find themselves part of the new super city.”
The Government is expected to adopt the select committee recommendations when it tables the Local Government (Auckland Bill) in Parliament next week. However, Mrs Webster says she still has faith in the Parliamentary process and is urging the people in Rodney to contact their local MPs to let them know if they are unhappy where northern boundary for the new Auckland Council has been drawn.
Further Information On The Select Committee's Recommendations On Auckland Governance
The Select Committee on Auckland Governance has reported back to Parliament with recommendations on the future of the Auckland Region and Rodney District.
Rodney District
The Committee is recommending that Rodney District be split into two regions with northern Rodney merging with Kaipara District, and the southern part of the District being part of the Auckland Council.
The Committee supported a division being drawn generally following a line between the mouth of the Puhoi River and the mouth of the Makarau River. The area of Rodney included in Auckland would be represented by 1 ward Councillor.
Other Recommendations
The Select Committee is also recommending that there be greater powers for local boards.
The Government's proposal for eight at-large councillors and 12 ward councillors was not supported by the Select Committee.
The Local Government Commission will determine the number and boundaries of local boards following public consultation.
The select committee has recommended that powers and functions of local boards be made clear in the legislation.
The select committee has recommended that the Auckland Council be able to ultimately decide what functions should be delivered locally and regionally.
The Government has issued a fact sheet with information on the Select Committee's recommendations.
More information about the Select Committee's report is also available online.
To read the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill in full, click here.