Marlborough District Deputy Mayor, David Croad, has expressed the Council’s relief that the Government has delayed its Head Start plan for council amalgamations as part of its Simplifying Local Government reform programme.
“I’m relieved because of the significant additional work this created for Council on top of other Government reforms such as the overhaul of the country’s planning legislation and the setting up of water services organisations,” said Cr Croad.
“Putting amalgamation on the backburner until after the elections is welcome and reduces financial and operational pressure on council, at least for now.
“However, the Government reforms are over and above our own additional challenges here recovering from multiple storm events since 2021 including road recovery and increasing our flood protection infrastructure, notably at Spring Creek.”
The Council voted unanimously in August to submit a joint amalgamation proposal with Kaikōura District Council to the Government’s Head Start initiative.
“Both councils had found through public surveying that there was quite strong community support for exploring a merger,” said Cr Croad.
“On the plus side the Head Start process has revealed that Marlborough and Kaikōura have a lot in common and there is undoubtedly merit in continuing to explore how we can work more closely together. That is a foundation for the future, whatever the incoming Government decides to do regarding future council structures.”
