MEDIA ALERT –

Media Release

16 October 2009

Manukau City Council wants to see four wards and seven councillors in the southern sector for the new Auckland Council. (The southern sector includes Manukau, Papakura, and that part of Franklin that will remain in the new Auckland area.)

In its submission to the Local Government Commission, the council says it would also prefer nine local board areas.

Mayor Len Brown says in making its recommendations, the council wanted to retain the existing, strong communities of interest.

“We have strong, established communities of interest in Manukau and we want to see these preserved as much as possible,” Mr Brown says.

The council has opted for two-member wards in its submission, which will strengthen local communities, and ensure that people and communities retain their connectivity in their diversity. The exception is the one-member ward based on Franklin, which was specified in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009.

“Communities need to have their voices heard, and local boards will be vital in the new structure, if our residents are to have elected representatives who know and understand their particular needs and interests.

“The nine local boards we’re recommending will provide that important voice at the local level.”

In opting for four wards with seven members, the council has included the current Papakura and Franklin districts, with one rural ward based on Franklin and including the rural area of Clevedon.

“When the Commission last determined the wards in the 2003/04 review, Clevedon lost its separate, rural, ward status and this is still keenly felt in the Clevedon community. Empowering communities is vital, and a rural ward will clearly reflect the rural lifestyle both in Clevedon and rural Franklin, where people have different concerns to those of the urban areas,” Mr Brown says.

The Local Government Commission will consider submissions before releasing its draft proposals by 20 November, with responses to the draft proposals due by 11 December.

The Commission’s final determination has a deadline of 1 March.

The council’s preferred option

The southern sector of Auckland elects seven members to the Auckland Council from four wards:

* Southern Rural Ward (generally comprising Franklin District, the Clevedon community, and rural areas of Papakura District): one member

* Manurewa-Papakura Ward (generally comprising the Manurewa community and urban areas of Papakura District): two members

* South-West Ward (generally comprising the Mangere, Papatoetoe and Otara communities): two members

* South-East Ward (generally comprising the Pakuranga, Howick and Botany communities): two members

Nine local board areas for the southern sector of Auckland:

* Pakuranga-Howick: eight members elected from two subdivisions (Pakuranga four, Howick four)

* Botany-Flat Bush: five members elected at large

* Mangere: seven members elected at large

* Papatoetoe: five members elected at large

* Otara: five members elected at large

* Manurewa: nine members elected at large

* Papakura (membership and method of election best advocated by the existing council)

* Clevedon: five members elected at large

* Franklin (membership and method of election best advocated by the existing council).

Note: References to Franklin refer to that part of Franklin District remaining within the boundaries of Auckland.

ENDS

© Scoop Media