7. RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister with responsibility for Auckland Issues
Does she agree with the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) call for “One Auckland Council” as set out on its website FixAuckland.com; if not, why not?
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
The Government is working in collaboration with Auckland councils on governance arrangements, because it is committed to promoting Auckland’s future as a world-class, internationally competitive city region. Key elements of this work include a stronger regional governance structure, an overarching regional strategic plan—that is, a “one plan”—and the regional sustainable development forum to develop such a plan.
Does she not think that one Auckland city council might be a good vehicle for stopping the 245-plus percent mark-up by territorial council water retailers, and costs to householders; if not, what alternative has she to stop such price gouging?
I think that a thorough process of review of the arrangements is appropriate, and that is precisely what is happening right now. There has been a process that has involved an invitation to all ratepayers to contribute to that process earlier this year through the long-term community plans. The work has continued on through the councils with central government, and there will be a further opportunity, should that process proceed, for further engagement with local people. There will be many points of opportunity for participation to address those issues of concern to Aucklanders.
Does the Minister not see that the problem for Auckland with its high costs and the poor service from councils is a direct failure of governance from eight councils, seven mayors, and over 6,000 bureaucrats, and that what the Government is actually proposing in consultation with Aucklanders is just more bureaucracy, more process, and that the answer is a simple governance structure of one council that can actually do the business and be accountable to the people of Auckland?
I do not accept the member’s assertion that that case is proven—it is certainly not in the material, which is relatively high-level material, on the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) website. That material does not offer any real financial analysis of its proposition. I would also point out to the member that, as in the rest of the country, one of the most significant realities of cost drivers for local authorities is the simple fact that one of the most expensive areas of council activity—construction—has a rate of inflation roughly triple that of the consumer price index. There will always be significant cost drivers for councils meeting their obligations for infrastructure to their ratepayers.