More than 400 community embers have shared their views with Hastings District Council on the possible future shape of local government in Hawke’s Bay, with residents encouraged to take part before this stage of community feedback closes on Sunday, 12 July.
This is the second stage of engagement on whether Hawke’s Bay councils should put forward a regional amalgamation proposal to Government.
The Government’s voluntary Head Start process has set a deadline of 9 August, giving the region’s councils only a short time to gather community views, test the limited options that meet government criteria, and decide whether to submit a high-level amalgamation proposal for Hawke’s Bay. If the region does not submit one, the Government will determine Hawke’s Bay’s future structure through its backstop process.
Hastings District Council has been gathering feedback from local residents on what option to pursue: one Hawke’s Bay unitary authority, two unitary authorities covering northern and southern Hawke’s Bay, or no regional amalgamation proposal and entry into the Government’s
backstop process.
This has been done through an initial survey, live-streamed workshops, information shared across its channels and direct engagement across the district.
Hastings Mayor, Wendy Schollum thanked all who have taken the time to get involved so far.
“It’s been incredibly valuable reading feedback submitted online and being invited into meetings and events hosted by community, business, rural and seniors’ groups, and hearing directly from people,” she said.
“That feedback has helped us understand not just what people think, but what information they need before they can make an informed decision.
“We’ve heard very clearly that people want practical information about costs, local representation and how services might work. They also want to know whether reform would deliver better outcomes and genuine savings.
“Those are reasonable questions. The challenge all communities are facing is that the compressed Government timeframe means councils are first being asked to identify a broad regional pathway, before the detailed design work needed for reliable costs, representation
models and service arrangements be completed.”
Mayor Schollum said the decision now was not the final shape of local government in Hawke’s Bay.
“If the region submits a proposal by 9 August and the Government agrees it should proceed, the initial work would be developed in much greater detail, including local decision-making, rural and urban representation, ward boundaries, mana whenua relationships, costs and service delivery models.
“Any ultimate proposal would be developed through wider community consultation on that detail, including public meetings, community hui, drop-ins and other opportunities for people to question, challenge and help shape the model before final decisions are made.”
In the first round of feedback, 67 percent of respondents indicated they did not have concerns about being part of a larger council.
People can have their say at https://www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz/hdc/councilchanges/ until Sunday, 12 July.
Councillors will also be available at a Simplifying Local Government community drop-in at Hastings War Memorial Library from 10.30am to noon on Saturday, 11 July, for anyone wanting to ask questions about the process or receive assistance completing a submission.
Residents can also contact their local councillor directly, with contact details available at https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/our-council/mayor-and-councillors/.
