Copeland backs One Auckland Plan
Gordon Copeland Press Release
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 24th July 2007
Copeland backs One Auckland Plan
Independent MP Gordon Copeland today signalled his support for the One Auckland Plan which is being promoted by the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).
“Simply stated, Auckland will not achieve its ambition to become a world class city with its current governance shambles,” said Mr Copeland.
“Cities around the world which have voiced similar ambitions (Denver, USA for example, not to mention New York) have always begun that plan by addressing the central issue of city governance.”
“Personally I have no doubt that one Auckland Council supplemented by electorate based community councils would be a huge step in the right direction.”
“I likewise back the FIXAUCKLAND.COM call for an independent Commission of Inquiry to get the process underway. Appealing to politicians in Wellington is one thing, but at the end of the day this process needs to be driven by Aucklanders themselves.”
“An independent Commission of Inquiry could become the vehicle for consensus and make the response from central government, including any necessary empowering legislation, straightforward.”
ENDS