Public meetings on local govt

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 5, 19 August 1988, Page 3

Public meetings on local govt

Waimarino people have three possible futures under the local government reform now under scrutiny by the Local Government Commission, according to Mayor Garrick Workman.

They are: for the Waimarino District Council to remain as it is; for the District Council to widen its boundaries to include National Park and/or Waiouru and possibly Taihape; or go "the

whole hog" and join a larger authority such as Taumarunui, Wanganui or Rangitikei. Two public meetings are to be held next week for interested persons to make their views known on the impending local government reform. The meetings have been arranged by the Waimarino District Council, one for Tuesday at Raetihi, and one for Wednesday at Ohakune. Mayor Workman said he and the other councillors would like to hear the views of Waimarino residents on the options for this area. After the Ohakune meeting follows a full council meeting when a submission on what the people of the Waimarino want will be formulated. The deadline for submissions Local Government Commission is in e a r 1 y September Waimarino councillors have been meeting with neighbouring au-

thorities, that is Wanganui city and county councils, Taumarunui councils, Rangitikei and Taihape to discuss the options. Mayor Workman said under a scenario where the Waimarino expanded to take in Waiouru the "seat of power" would remain in Ohakune, but if T aihape was included neither T aihape nor Ohakune would want to give up that seat. Taihape have said they felt a g r e a t e r community of interest

with Waiouru and North Rangitikei than the south. However, this view was not supported by northern county riding members, he said. He said if the district joined a larger neighbour a community district council would probably be formed to make recommendations to that larger council on local matters. He thought that at the most three councillors would represent the area, with a lesser number more likely. Mayor Workman said

after the meetings with Waimarino's neighbours that there were differing viewpoints from within the Waimarino District Council. Mayor Workman said last week that it was possible the commission would accept district councils representing populations smaller than 20,000. He said the commission required that areas of less than 20,000 be divided into wards, such as is the case in the Waimarino.