Royal Commission Report Great for Auckland Region

EMA (N) Media statement
Friday March 27, 2009

Royal Commission Report Great for Auckland Region - Localism still on trial

The EMA is delighted that the Royal Commission has delivered at the regional level what EMA has been promoting for the past 10 years; however, the success of the new Local Councils will depend hugely on the good will of the new Auckland Council.

“Our overall impression is that the report is decisive, and kept simple to enable swift implementation.”

“Overall this is a very good report”, says EMA Chief Executive Alasdair Thompson, “and at the regional, greater Auckland Council level it delivers what EMA urged in our submission to the Royal Commission.”

Mr Thompson says that EMA will need more time to consider the role and responsibilities of the proposed six Local Councils; they are a completely new type of body without precedence in local government with no legal authority.

“The new Local Councils sound rather like very large community boards operating within the Auckland Council.”

“The current unempowered Community Boards were seldom able to affect anything of consequence for Residents and ratepayers and communities.”

“It will be important that the same does not apply to the new six Local Councils. That of course needn’t happen if the new Auckland Council engages meaningfully with the Local Councils and delegates to them responsibility for local amenities and consults with them over planning local issues.”

“EMA also supported strong Local Councils with full responsibility and rating powers for all local amenities” said Mr Thompson. “ The Royal Commission chose not to go that way but it was always unlikely that everybody would get everything they wanted.”

“The most important thing for Auckland is its economic growth, its wellbeing, and a healthy environment. EMA will work with those charged with implementing the plan to make these things a reality.”

ENDS

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