MEDIA RELEASE

Empower Auckland Council to deliver on vision

For immediate release on 28 September 2009

“The Government’s plans for unelected board-appointed organisations to run core local government functions disempowers the role of elected councillors to deliver on their vision,” said Local Government New Zealand President  Lawrence Yule.

“The Government's decision that transport will be run at arms length by a transport agency will frustrate the mandate of Auckland’s elected members to deliver a world-class transportation system.   

 "If we are to make Auckland a world-class city then we need to give the city's leaders control over the levers to make it work. The corporisation of many of the planned city's major services will simply reduce the ability of elected members to deliver and reduce the willingness of people with talent to stand.

“All of Auckland’s mayoral candidates are passionate about the future of the Super City’s transport system.  To have the key decisions on transport, a critical component of any world-class city, determined by a separate Board-appointed agency undermines local democracy and raises concerns about a wider Government agenda.

“The risk is that transport and water services could extend to economic development, entertainment, arts and beyond.  How will the Auckland Council achieve integrated planning if it’s forced to work with several stand-alone agencies?” said Mr Yule.

“Elected members need autonomy to act on their vision of creating dynamic communities, and not be hampered by the need to consult with independent agencies on everything from roading to rubbish.”

ENDS

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