Interest in boundary change

KEEN interest has been shown by those attending a series of public meetings on the Draft Boundary Reorganisation Scheme for Manawatu District and Palmerston North City.

Chaired by the Chief Executives for the Manawatu District Council and Palmerston North City Council, Lorraine Vincent and Paddy Clifford, the meetings began in Palmerston North on Monday, to be followed by those in Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe and Newbury Hall later in the week. The final two are in Feilding (Manawatu District Council office) and Longburn (Longburn School) next Wednesday and Thursday.

MDC Customer Services and Democracy Manager, Janine Hawthorn, said the purpose of the meetings was to relay information on the proposal and to answer any questions people may have, such as “how will a change in boundary affect me?”

In reply, the councils point out that most residents and businesses would not notice any change at all, apart from some minor ones in the area proposed to move from district to city.

“The most obvious will be the city council contacting you for things like rates payments and dog registration, and the new council being responsible for responding to requests for service. Residents in the boundary change area will also have access to the many community services the city council provides including the City Library, swimming pools, the new youth space and the many parks and reserves,” the councils said.

Submissions on the scheme are currently being sought until 5pm on Thursday, September 8.

Copies of the scheme are available in Feilding from the MDC office in Manchester Street and the Public Library. Further information at www.boundarychange.co.nz or by contacting Janine Hawthorn at the MDC on (06) 323-0000.