Community concerned about timeframe for local government reform

A community survey on local government reform has found that many respondents are unsure about the Government’s reasons for reform and concerned about the tight timeframe for councils to submit amalgamation proposals.

The Taupō District Council survey ran from 3 June to 16 June. It aimed to gauge the level of community support to submit an amalgamation proposal to meet the Government-imposed deadline of 9 August.

The survey also asked people to indicate which priorities they felt councillors should consider as they work to assess amalgamation options.

The survey drew 1113 responses and around 96 people attended one of the Council’s six engagement events held across the district.

Key feedback themes included: that people were concerned about what local government reform involved, why it was needed, and the speed at which councils were being asked to prepare amalgamation proposals.

Many were concerned about retaining Taupō District’s local identity, its assets, particularly the $83 million TEL investment fund, and the ability to make decisions for its own communities.

While some respondents supported local government reform in principle, mainly for potential efficiencies and reduced duplication of services, many others were sceptical that amalgamation would deliver lower costs or better services.

There was also a strong expectation that Taupō District Council should look to protect local voice, safeguard its assets and finances and focus on maintaining relationships and protect the environment.

In terms of priorities, financial sustainability, which included levels of debt, investment and assets such as infrastructure, was ranked as very important by the largest group of respondents. Affordable rates and quality services (water, wastewater, roads, rubbish, parks, transport and community facilities) were also highly-ranked.

When presented with a range of potential amalgamation scenarios, the largest group (45 percent) supported Taupō District Council partnering with a neighbouring council to put forward a proposal to merge. This was closely followed by the idea of a sub-regional unitary authority which would be a small grouping of councils who would also deliver regional council functions. Councils mentioned most often as potential partners included Rotorua Lakes, South Waikato and Ruapehu although there was also strong support for Taupō District to remain as it is and not merge at all.

The community views within the survey have helped inform the options that councillors will discuss at a council meeting on Tuesday 30 June at 10.30am, where they will decide which amalgamation options should be assessed in detail. There is also the option for Taupō District Council to not join or submit a proposal for amalgamation but remain as it is. In that case, the council would instead prepare for the Backstop process, where decisions about future structures would be made by Government. This process is expected to be in place in 2031.