\u201cIf councils don\u2019t step up and put forward credible proposals, the Government will step in and make those decisions \u2026 lead your own reform, or we will do it for you,\u201d Bishop said.<\/p>\n
The goal was to have fewer, larger authorities in a simpler and more efficient system, Bishop said.<\/p>\n
The urgency was linked to setting councils up to deliver on the Government\u2019s new resource management planning system, expected to pass into law this year.<\/p>\n
Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop. Photo \/ Jason Dorday<\/p>\n
\u201cFixing the planning system while leaving local government untouched would just lock in the same problems,\u201d Bishop said.<\/p>\n
The restructure proposals must come from two or more city or district councils, and can include neighbours across regional borders. Regional councils cannot make proposals.<\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer said he was emailed a letter from Watts at 12.30pm on Tuesday. This was the same time the press release embargo lifted.<\/p>\n
Denyer said the email \u201cwas a surprise\u201d, as he had expected an update once the Simplifying Local Government legislation was finalised.<\/p>\n
He told Local Democracy Reporting on Wednesday that councillors had not yet had the opportunity to discuss the proposal, nor had any formal briefings or guidance on the head start criteria.<\/p>\n
It was too early to say if Western Bay would pursue making a proposal, he said.<\/p>\n
Internal discussions and conversations with neighbouring councils were being arranged.<\/p>\n
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer. Photo \/ Alisha Evans<\/p>\n
Denyer said the community would want to have input, but it was unclear if or how this would be incorporated within the timeline.<\/p>\n
He said Western Bay was not a small council, ranking within the top 20 territorial authorities in New Zealand by population.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is always a trade-off between achieving potential economies of scale and effective local representation and provision of service,\u201d Denyer said.<\/p>\n
Tauranga Mayor Mah\u00e9 Drysdale has been a prominent advocate for amalgamation between councils<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said he knew change was coming and welcomed the Government\u2019s proactive approach.<\/p>\n \u201cLocal councils now have an opportunity to lead that change, or this will be done to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Drysdale said reform was needed to improve efficiency, reduce costs and deliver better outcomes for communities.<\/p>\n He said elected members had been voted in to represent people and make decisions.<\/p>\n \u201cOur communities expect us to step up and work through the options in the best long-term interests of our region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, that means keeping local decision\u2011making and representation at the forefront and being proactive about how we shape that future.”<\/p>\n He said the challenge would be achieving efficiencies without compromising local representation. <\/p>\n Collaboration across the region would be critical given the tight timeframe, Drysdale said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be advocating with my colleagues from across the region that we act with urgency and consider how we move forward together to get the best possible outcomes for our people and the region.\u201d<\/p>\n Tauranga Mayor Mah\u00e9 Drysdale. Photo \/ Brydie Thompson<\/p>\n