Draft scheme issued for union of Nelson City and Tasman District

June 16th, 2011
[based on LGC and TDC press releases]

The proposal to amalgamate Nelson and Tasman councils has passed its next hurdle. A unitary authority for a united Nelson-Tasman District, with five community boards, is the basis of a draft reorganisation scheme announced today by the Local Government Commission (LGC).

Sue Piper, Chair of the Local Government Commission, says the Nelson and Tasman areas are facing significant regional challenges in the years ahead. “A unitary authority will result in better governance and decision making for the region as a whole.”

According to the draft reorganisation scheme, the new proposed wardswill be Golden Bay Ward (one councillor), Lakes Murchison Ward (one councillor), Motueka Ward (two councillors), Moutere-Waimea Ward (two councillors), Richmond Ward (three councillors) and Nelson Ward (seven councillors).

There will be five community boards - a community board for Golden Bay, Motueka, Lakes-Murchison and Moutere-Waimea Wards and a combined board for the Richmond and Nelson Wards.

Sue Piper says the Commission is required under the Local Government Act 2002 to be satisfied that the reorganisation proposal will promote good local government for the districts or cities concerned.

“After considering written and verbal submissions and background inquiries, and assessment of the proposal over the past six months, the Local Government Commission has decided to prepare a draft reorganisation scheme based on the proposal."

The proposal is for a unitary authority for the Nelson-Tasman District comprising a mayor and 16 councillors elected from wards. The boundaries of these wards are to be based closely on existing Tasman District ward boundaries and the Nelson City boundary. Five community boards covering the combined Nelson-Tasman district will also be established.

The proposed union is now in the hands of the residents, said Tasman’s Mayor Richard Kempthorne. The draft is open for public submission and once this process closes then the Commission has another opportunity to decide whether to proceed or not.

“While Wellington may believe this is best for Tasman, it is now in the hands of residents”, said Mayor Kempthorne. “I am urging the people of Tasman to take the time to review the draft plan and make a submission. Once finalised this plan will form the basis of what residents will be voting on and it will be too late to change it.

“The Council’s role and responsibility at this stage is to ensure Tasman residents have all the information they need to play a meaningful role in the process.

“We made our position very clear about what we thought about the proposed union at the time of the hearings last year. Until we have read the report we are not in a position to gauge whether the proposal will deliver the fair representation and cost efficiencies not already able to be achieved through shared services. However, our role is now focused on assisting residents to make their minds up either way.

“This is no longer about an election campaign outside of our District. It needs to be made about what is best for Tasman and how people wish to have their aspirations decided upon, by whom and what cost. While the process has been filled with unsubstantiated claims and supposed benefits, people have to look beyond those and ask ‘what are the real benefits and costs’.

“The Council is prepared to meet with any individuals or groups who would like further information or clarification of the issues as residents consider the proposal to amalgamate,“ Richard concluded.

If the Local Government Commission decides to proceed following this consultation process, a final reorganisation plan will be the subject of a poll within the Tasman District and Nelson City, with over 50% of electors who choose to vote in both areas having to approve it for it to succeed.

On its website, LGC says it carefully considered all the written submissions and verbal comments at hearings last December and assessed the proposal over the past six months. Two background reports were prepared dealing with the nature of communities and council planning matters, and also financial and service delivery issues. This information alongside other inquiries has informed the Commission's decision.

The draft reorganisation scheme is open for submissions until Friday 19 August 2011. The Commission will then meet with submitters who choose to present their submission in person. A decision will be made by the Commission after considering the submissions and conducting any other inquiries or investigations.

The decision could be made to proceed with the reorganisation scheme, with or without changes, or not issue a final reorganisation scheme. Submissions can be made by any person or organisation with an interest in the issue.

If the Commission does not issue a final reorganisation scheme then that is the end of the process and nothing else happens. If the Commission issues a final reorganisation scheme, two polls are held – one in Nelson City and the other in the Tasman District – to determine if voters are in favour of the proposal. More than 50 per cent of the votes cast, in each poll, must be in favour of the proposal for it to proceed.

Further information is available in the draft reorganisation scheme document available at council service centres, libraries and the Commission’s website.

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