Rangitikei is Waimarino's first choice

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 6, 26 August 1988, Page 3

Rangitikei is Waimarino's first choice

A union with the Rangitikei local authorities is the first choice of the. Waimarino District Council in the impending local govemment reform.

That was the decision of the council at Wednesday's full council meeting. The decision was by no means unanimous, but it was pointed out to councillors, and the public that anyone can send in submissions to the Local Government Commission on the proposed reforms. The commission will make the final decision o n the reform, the meeting heard. The council has been meeting with neighbouring authorities and held two public meetings, one in Raetihi and one in Ohakune this week, to explore the possibilities for reform in this area. Earlier Mayor Workman had said the Waimarino faced three

options but at Wednesday's meeting said Brian Jones of the Local Government commission told the council the only viable option for the council was to join a larger authority. He said the idea of a Central Plateau Region, taking in the authorities around the mountain and around Lake Taupo, appeared to be out of the question. After much discussion the first choice of most councillors became clear, with the inclusion in the council's submission that the Waimarino become a ward of the district, taking in Waiouru, and be represented by a community district council. The success of this

option depends on the Taumarunui authorities being allowed to join the Waikato Region, which they are opting for. Most councillors agreed that if Taumarunui were not al-

lowed to become part of the Waikato region then Waimarino and Taumarunui would be forced to amalgamate in some way. The second choice of the council was to become part of an author-

ity taking in Taumarunui, the Waimarino (including Waiouru) and Wanganui. When a motion was put to the council to support this scenario as a second choice it was Turn page 15

Rangitikei union is Waimarino's first choice

From page 3 carried, with five councillors voting in favour and four voting against. Two councillors were absent from

the meeting and Mayor Garrick Workman did not vote on the motion. Out of the discussion on the reform and with

whom the Waimarino should align itself (For and against the various options) came the following various arguments:

• Wanganui was a dying city and that the Waimarino would become part of its hinterland, supporting it. • Rangitikei have said they want a union with the Waimarino. .• That most of the services for the Waimarino come from Wanganui, eg health, education, social welfare, police, and town planning, engineering. Also, that the only tie with Rangitikei i s through the catchment authority. • That many heads of departments are moving from Wanganui to Palmerston North. • That there is n o community of interest with Rangitikei. • Counter to that: That there is no community of interest with Wanganui, Taumarunui, Taupo. • The Waimarino will become an outpost of a larger authority whatever happens and it's better to be closer to the centre, ie Wanganui.

• That the n e w authority should have a strong financial base, and that Rangitikei has this and Wanganui hasn't. (The opposite view was also expressed). A suggestion was also made that Wanganui's port would enliven the city, and strengthen Waimarino's ties with Wanganui. • A Central Plateau Region is not possible without the support of Taupo, who are not willing. • Wanganui council-

lors seem to be unwilling to have the Waimarino become part of a Wanganui region. • Marton (the base for a Rangitikei option) is close to twice the distance from the Waimarino than Wanganui. • That Rangitikei has a lot in common with the Waimarino in that it is largely rural based with rural based communities. • That the Waimarino's future is in tourism and reform in this area should see au-

thorities formed with this in mind. • That the council should ignore what other authorities want (they might not get it) and form its submission based on what the Waimarino wants to do. • That the Waimarino should push for being the dominant force in an authority, because it is a strong growth area. • That the only common thing with Taupo is "that we can both see the mountain on a fine day".