Boundary change sought

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 1

Boundary change sought

More than 40 Huntsbury residents who attended a public meeting last evening voted overwhelmingly to take steps to become part of Heathcote County.

The chairman of the Huntsbury Ratepayers’ Association, Mr George Murray, said last evening that the main reasons why the residents no longer wanted to be within the Christchurch City boundaries were that Heathcote rates were lower, for better service, and Heathcote’s capital value rating system. “We now have to go out and get as many signatures as possible among Huntsbury residents to support our case,” he said.

“Once the petitions are complete they are handed to ... both councils who in turn pass them on to the Local Government Commission for consideration.” A group of six Huntsbury property owners has already applied to the Local Government Commission for a boundary change to make their properties part of Heathcote County. In its letter of reply, the commission said that final consideration of the application would not be made before a decision on amalgamation of Christchurch local authorities. The chairman of the Heathcote County Council, Mr Oscar Alpers, told the meeting that more Hunts-

bury residents applying to become_part of the Heathcote County might be a good move. “Huntsbury residents- may also do good by getting alongside Heathcote County in its case against amalgamation with the City Council,” he said. “I can see no justification for amalgamating efficient counties the size of Heathcote and Paparua. “If it is not possible to achieve a large Port Hills local authority, the next step could be the formation of district councils. They would determine their own rates and expenditure based on the level of services wanted and direct the central council on this.”