Council votes to retain existing NorSGA committee membership

Waitakere City Council has decided against inviting a representative of the Massey Community Board to sit on its NorSGA Urban Development Committee, saying community interests are already well served by the seven councillors on the committee who have been elected to represent them.

Following a Massey Community Board request to reconsider a council decision made in October last year to limit elected member representation on the NorSGA (Northern Strategic Growth Area) committee to councillors only, the council this morning voted to stand by its earlier resolution.

The standing committee of council also includes representatives of organisations involved in building major public and private infrastructure in the Northern Strategic Growth Area, which includes the former Hobsonville Airbase land, Hobsonville village, Massey North and Westgate.

“We made a decision last year and we need to stick by it and not bow to pressure to change because a few people are unhappy,” said NorSGA committee member, Councillor Derek Battersby.

”Councillors have been elected by the community to manage the city and, as such, have extra rights to make the decisions on citywide issues. However, community board chairmen already have speaking rights at all council standing committees and therefore have an opportunity to bring any issues to the fore.”

NorSGA committee chairman Councillor Linda Cooper says the committee operates at a strategic level, where the various agencies such as Auckland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Transport Authority and property developers come together to share project information and updates.

“This committee is a unique model aimed at bringing together the council and all of the organisations that have the expertise needed to ensure we develop the best new town centre we can” she said.

“There is nothing secret about what we are doing and all meetings are open to the public to come along and see what is going on.

“Waitakere councillors have been elected by the community to act in its best interests – and the community board needs to trust in that. We are there to ensure we get the best outcome for all residents and ratepayers,” Cr Cooper said.