Potential
amalgamation is today in the news as the Government
pursues resource management restructuring that would scale
back council responsibilities.
Sam Warren, Local
Government Campaigns Manager for the Taxpayers’ Union,
said:
“Better collaboration between councils to find
efficiencies for both service and infrastructure delivery is
certainly encouraged, so long as they reduce the burden on
the local ratepayer.”
“But remember, big council
doesn’t always mean better council.”
“Consider
Auckland’s ‘Super City’ as a cautionary tale—the
only thing achieved was more bureaucracy and empire
building. By all means, find the sweet spot where cost per
ratepayer is effectively minimised, and go no
further.”
“Key to this discussion is localism. So
long as the discussion is community-driven, and locals are
aware of the nuances involved with council amalgamation, the
result will be
better.”
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