Petition shows support for Commissioners

 

A petition urging the Government to retain the Kaipara District Council commissioners for a further 12 months has been signed by more than 1,300 Kaipara residents and ratepayers.

The term of the Commissioners is due to end in October this year, which would force an election in Kaipara 12 months ahead of all other local government elections in 2016.

Organised by Mangawhai resident and former Kaipara District Council deputy mayor Richard Bull and other concerned residents throughout the Kaipara District, the petition was delivered to the Associate Minister of Local Government Louise Upston on March 3.

The petition wording asks the Minister “to extend the term of the …Commissioners for one year until late 2016 to coincide with any future rationalisation of local government in the Northland region.”

It continues: “We believe this extension of the Commissioners’ role is essential for stability in our region in a period where major legal issues are pending and far-reaching decisions will be considered about the future shape of Northland. The cost of the election is a waste of ratepayer funds.”

Mr Bull also wrote to Ms Upston in December last year giving reasons why the Commissioners should be kept on for 12 months. His letter was signed by 55 Kaipara residents.

Mr Bull said he organised the petition because he and other Kaipara residents wanted to prove to the Minister that there was wide-ranging support for extending the term of the Commissioners.

“We were very happy with the response to the petition, especially as the signatures were collected in less than three weeks,” he said.

“It’s a very good indication of the tremendous support for the excellent job being done by the Commissioners.”

The Government will need to make a decision on the future of the Commissioners soon as preparation work has begun by the Kaipara District Council staff for an October election.

The Local Government Commission is also scheduled to announce its determination for the future shape of Northland this month based on submissions it has received on a planned amalgamation of all Northland local bodies; Far North District Council, Whangarei City Council, Kaipara District Council and Northland Regional Council.

Any decision to confirm the amalgamation, and to end the term of the Commissioners in October this year, will mean Kaipara District will face two elections in 12 months – the first to elect Kaipara District mayor and councilors, and a second next October when elections are held for the proposed wider territorial local authority.

By Peter Nicholas