Super-city decision splits Franklin - contrary to the peoples wishes

The Select Committee on the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill reported back to Parliament this afternoon. Their recommendation for the southern boundary of the new city cuts right through the middle of Franklin District.

This means that on 30 October next year, Franklin District Council will cease to exist. Properties which currently pay rates to Auckland Regional Council will be in the new Auckland Council (Super-city). Properties which currently pay rates to Environment Waikato will become part of Waikato District.

On hearing the decision Franklin District Mayor, Mark Ball said “I am deeply disappointed with this result because it completely ignores the wishes of the people of Franklin. Over the past 16 months, we have conducted three independent telephone polls of Franklin residents. In March 2008, 85% of respondents indicated that they wanted Franklin to remain separate. In April 2009, 76% of respondents wanted Franklin to remain separate. In July 2009, 85% indicated that they wanted Franklin to remain separate and to become a new unitary authority.

It seems to me that it is terribly arrogant of any political organisation to ignore a majority of this magnitude. As a politician, I understand that decisions have to be made and that you will upset some people regardless of what you decide. However, 85% of our residents and ratepayers have consistently indicated that they want no part of the Super-city. This is a conclusive majority and a democratic government should listen. To make this an even more bitter pill to swallow, no one has made any attempt to tell the people of Franklin what benefit there will be to either Franklin or the Auckland Council by carving up this great district.”