Thames-Coromandel District Council is calling on ratepayers, residents and stakeholders to help shape the future of local government in our district with a public survey opening asking for views on the Government’s proposed local government reforms
The survey – opening on Monday 8 June – will gather community views on what people want to see from the reform process and will inform the options Council develops over the coming weeks.
Councils have been asked by Government to work with neighbouring councils and put forward a reform option by early August that meets five key requirements:
- maintains strong local voices
- simplifies local governance (makes it easier for decision-making)
- supports the new planning system
- has economies of scale (is more efficient)
- be “doable”.
Mayor Peter Revell has already highlighted the tight timeline, but stressing it is vital the community has a genuine opportunity to contribute.
“Time is short, and we have been given a very clear deadline by Government which makes it even more important that we hear from our communities now,” he said. “We do not want to come up with something behind closed doors. We want to develop options that reflect what our communities value and what they want for the future of local government on the Coromandel Peninsula.”
More information from the government is available at www.dia.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government and www.tcdc.govt.nz.
Elected members have established the Simplifying Local Government Working Group to lead this work, report to Council, and provide weekly public updates on the Council website.
The Working Group will also engage with neighbouring councils as it works through possible reform models.
Mayor Revell said Council is committed to making the process as open and transparent as possible. “We know people want to understand what is being considered, why it is being considered, and how they can influence it,” he said.
“That is why we will be sharing regular updates, publishing the options we are working through, and making sure there are clear opportunities for people to give feedback at each stage.”
The options TCDC develops over the next eight weeks will be shaped by community input as well as discussions with other councils.
The Working Group is encouraging all ratepayers and residents to take part in the survey. Every response will be read and considered as the group works toward a shortlist of possible reform options.
A summary of survey feedback will be published on Council’s website on 17 June.
While the survey is open from 8 to 15 June, the Working Group will develop some possible options and review these against the Government’s criteria. Once community feedback has been reviewed and considered, the Working Group will narrow down to a few draft options for further feedback from our communities.
“This is a once-in-a-generation conversation about how local government could work in our district, and we want people to be part of it from the beginning,” Mayor Revell said.
“If you want your views reflected in the options Council considers, please complete the online survey by 15 June.”
People are also welcome to provide their feedback by calling Council on 07 868 0200 to have their say. In these cases, the staff will read out the question and record the responses.
The link to the survey is here: https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Community/Have-Your-Say/Current-Consultations/Simplifying-Local-Government-local-government-reforms
And the link to the DIA background information is here: https://www.dia.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government”
We will have hard copies of the survey at all service centres.
The Informer Office in Whitianga will be open and make Survey Forms available on the weekend of 13 and 14 June.
