A malgamation fire still burns

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 23, 29 October 1985, Page 1

A malgamation fire still burns

The district council amalgamaion issue continued its rocky road at a special meeting of the Waimarino County Council last Thursday night. The meeting was called as a result of a Karioi Riding meeting the preceeding Sunday, at which ratepayers demanded that the county council reject the representation formula of five representatives from the county, four from Raetihi Borough and four from Ohakune, and get a better deal for the county based on the Local Government Act. In a long, prepared speech Cr John Martin said he felt that negotiations over amalgamation had been rushed and this had placed an unacceptable burden on the steering committee. "We should admit our error and rescind and renegotiate." He said that the meeting he had called the preceeding Sunday was the first ratepayers' meeting to be held on the subject of amalgamation. "If any other councillor has not informed their ratepayers, I think that is shocking," he said. He argued that the council had not followed the Local Government Act in negotiating amalgamation. He quoted the section which states that council "shall have regard to the population, rateable value and area of each ward, and such additional factors as the council considers relevant,"and said that he believed this had not been followed. He presented a formula

based on population, land • value and total rates paid, which, he said, should give the county seven representatives, Raetihi three and Ohakune four. The calculations were based on the fact that, while the three populations are not dissimilar, the county has 88 per cent of total land value and 43 per cent of rates paid, which when averaged gives the 7-3-4 result. However he was opposed by Cr Jones who noted that other councils had compromised and the county had to do likewise. "We are going into a marriage that has to work — unless we contribute as the others have done we will not be successful." "I believe the 5-4-4 formula was the best we could negotiate," he said. Chairman Bruce Berry said that every councillor had sincerely tried to do their best for the county. "Councillors on the steering committee did have regard to the Local Government Act and decisions were made according to it." "To suggest otherwise reflects on the integrity of councillors," he said. After a sometimes tense debate the council voted four to three to accept the steering committee formula of 5-4-4. Crs Berry, Jones, Bennett and Heinold voted for it and Crs Martin, Whale and McCoubrie against. The three local councils will meet Brian Elwood, chairman of the Local Government Commission, this evening.