New council's future discussed

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 3, 5 August 1988, Page 8

New council's future discussed

Waimarino District Council Mayor Garrick Workman and councillors and staff have been meeting with neighbouring authorities to discuss various options for the impending formation of local government regions. The authorities have until September to come up with submis-

sions on the proposed regions, which would see the Waimarino part of a "Central Districts Region". The region would follow present catchment board boundaries and would take in Taumarunui, Wanganui Palmerston North, down to Horowhenua and across to the Dannevirke council. Within the regions there would be territorial authorities, which Local Government

Commissioner Brian Elwood has said would not be less t h a n 20,000 people. Mayor Workman said the Waimarino District Council must decide its first priority and then put together a strong case to back it up. He said the Waimarino was not necessarily too small but that the council should have a "fallback position". This could be a proposal to join forces with W aiouru and/or T aihape. Mayor Workman said the council was arranging meetings with Taihape, Waiouru, Wanganui County, Wanganui City and Rangitikei. He said the council expected a reply from

Taumarunui by August 9, after they have spoken to their neighbours, such as Taupo. He said if Taumarunui strike an accord with Taupo then the Waimarino District Council would like to meet with them.

The likelihood of a Central Plateau region was remote, however, as it would mean an extra region. "The commission has stated that the region boundaries are a discussion starting point, but we need a very good

argument to change the regional boundaries," said Mr Workman. The regions will take over the functions such as those of the catchment boards, the United Councils, the District Roads councils, plus cover such things as

education and health. Mr Elwood has said the public would probably deal most often with their local territorial council. Many of the region's services would be contracted out to the territorial authorities.