Papakura's unilateral declaration of independence

Papakura District Council (PDC) is engaging in a David and Goliath battle with ‘Super City’ proponents keen to persuade the Royal Commission that amalgamation is the way forward for the Auckland Region. To be heard, Papakura has today taken the extraordinary step of declaring independence, securing its borders and issuing residents with passports.

Concerned about the inevitable loss of autonomy and identity in any regional carve up, Councillors will staff roadblocks (four main arterial roads) in and out of the District between 10am and 1pm on Monday 14 April 2008. As well as protesting, Councillors will warn residents of the need to ‘speak up for their place’ before it is too late. Motorists will also receive passports and they will be asked their views on the future of their district.

Mayor Calum Penrose says Papakura faces its most critical challenge in many years with the Royal Commission enquiry into the future governance of the region.

“With councils and other organisations throwing their weight around, there’s a real danger that smaller players such as Papakura will literally be gobbled up in the noise.”

Protesting by shutting down the borders, he says, is one way to warn residents that being absorbed into a ‘Super City’ will mean a loss of autonomy and the district’s unique local character, an end to locally-delivered projects and will also mean the end of the district’s low residential, commercial and industrial rates.

“While a smaller player in the region’s governance game, we have a solid track record of delivering cost-effective local infrastructure and services and we out perform other Auckland Councils in this regard. We also have the lowest rates and some of the lowest debt per head in the Auckland region,” he said.

Papakura District Council formally adopts its Royal Commission Submission, Tuesday 15 April 2008.

While arguing that most local decisions are better made at a local level, the Council is also taking an unusual and more long-term strategic view of the preferred future governance structure for the Auckland Region.

It would like the Regional Council strengthened or ‘powered up’ and a more equitable division of power - geographically and in terms of population - among all the local territorial councils. This would require ‘powering down’ some of Auckland’s bigger cities and would ensure greater certainty at a regional level and a more ‘empowered’ community at the local level.

“Above all, this is about keeping democracy local. Bigger bureaucracies are seldom more efficient, and they do not have any particular commitment to the many areas they service. If people don’t take this chance to have their say, there is a very real chance that the unique identity of this district could be lost forever.”

About the Royal Commission:

Established by the Government in 2007, the Royal Commission is tasked with examining and reporting on the future management of the Auckland Region. It will consider how local authorities such as Papakura are making decisions; review regional decision-making and recommend a system designed to meet the region’s needs for around the next fifty years.

Securing Auckland’s future as an internationally competitive city and region was central to the Government’s decision to set up the Commission. As a result, the Commission has wide powers to identify what local, regional governance arrangements will best provide for current and future local, regional and national interests.

The Hon Peter Salmon QC will chair the Commission supported by Dame Margaret Bazley and David Shand (Commissioners). The deadline for submissions is 22 April 2008. Public hearings will be held throughout the region in May and June, and the Royal Commission will report back to the Government by 1 December 2008.

Papakura’s Governance Record:

Through consultation, Council has gained a clear understanding of residents’ social, environmental, cultural and economic aspirations, as well as their desire to be part of the decision-making process. The Council has been responsive to the wishes of the community and continues to address and deliver on residents’ aspirations.

Papakura District Council also has a strong track record in delivering projects and services to the community in an efficient manner and this is supported by research. Research also indicates that larger councils are not always as efficient as Papakura.

The Council has also managed to deliver quality projects and services without incurring excessive debt and the need to pass the resulting burden onto residents in the form of increased rates. Papakura has the lowest rates and lowest debt in the Auckland Region and current representatives are committed to cost-effective management.