900 Submissions - and a Week's Extension

More than 900 submissions have been received so far from Wellingtonians wanting to have their say on options for the possible future shape of local government in the region.

And Wellington City Council is extending the deadline for submissions by a week - to Friday 6 July - as a result of requests from many potential submitters for a bit more time to consider the issues.

Submissions are being sought by Wellington City Council on four governance options for Wellington City and the region - ranging from the 'status quo' with more regionally-shared council services, to a two-council and three-council proposal - to a single 'super city'-style council for the whole region including the Wairarapa, with subsidiary local boards.

The eight local councils in the region have also agreed to jointly engage Colmar Brunton to survey about 3,400 residents across the region in July, based on the governance options.

The results of the survey will be available in early August, and will inform the councils' views on the next steps in the process.

Four Options to Encourage Debate

The four options proposed by the City Council to encourage debate are:

Option 1 - all existing councils remain the same - but changing the way we work with other councils to deliver the services you use.

Option 2 - merge the nine existing councils into three bigger councils:
Wellington Capital and Coast Council - combining Wellington City, Porirua City and Kapiti Coast District
Hutt Valley Council - combining Hutt and Upper Hutt cities
Wairarapa Council - combining the three councils in the Wairarapa.
Greater Wellington Regional Council would be abolished.

Option 3 - merge all existing councils into two big councils:
Wellington Council - combining Wellington City, Porirua, Hutt and Upper Hutt cities, and Kapiti Coast District
Wairarapa Council - combining the three councils in the Wairarapa.
Again, the regional council would be abolished.   

Option 4 - merge all existing councils into one council for the whole region, with 10 local boards elected to look after 'local' services.  As with the new Auckland Council, this new single council would be the only entity that could set and collect rates, and would make the major decisions for the entire region.
Depending on feedback received during the consultation period and more detailed analysis of the options, by August the Council will have three broad choices about what to do next.

Here's how Wellingtonians can make submissions:

• Fill in the submission form at Public Input - Local Government Reform Options
• Get a copy of the Local Government Reform in Wellington booklet from city libraries, from the City Council service centre at 101 Wakefield Street, or by calling the Council on 499 4444 and asking for a copy to be sent to you. The booklet contains a Freepost submission form - you won't need a postage stamp
• Email your views to reform@wcc.govt.nz 
• Write to us at Wellington City Council, PO Box 2199, 101 Wakefield Street, Wellington City - Attention: Governance Reform
• There will also be an opportunity for submitters to have their say to Councillors in person.