Council merger on Peninsula?

Press, 12 October 1985, Page 8

Council merger on Peninsula?

Amalgamation decisions about Christchurch’s metropolitan councils may well determine what happens to the peripheral local authorities, according to the Wairewa County Council. The council’s chairman, Mr Bill Thompson, said Wairewa “naturally” favoured staying independent, but a merger of Akaroa, Mount Herbert, and Wairewa counties had been suggested during discussions about restructuring local bodies. This would combine the three counties on Banks Peninsula. “The merging of the three Peninsula counties would achieve little more than combining three units of local government into one area, under one name,” Mr Thompson said in a report to the Local Government Commission.

The Peninsula’s geography meant that any mer-

ger would have to include Ellesmere County to achieve any practical economies, the report said.

“Things still have to be resolved,” Mr Thompson told a council meeting yesterday. “We had a short meeting with Heathcote County recently and everyone noted everyone’s opinions, but it is no different from what it was at the beginning. “We are in a difficult position until the city has sorted out what it is doing. Many of its decisions may affect smaller authorities like us.” A public meeting would be held at the Little River Community Hall on Monday at 8 p.m. to discuss amalgamation and the council’s new District Scheme. “People will be able to comment on the restructuring ,i if they wish,” Mr Thompson said.