Central government had announced last November it was looking to shake up local government, proposing to do away with the 11 remaining regional councils. They would be replaced by combined territories boards, possibly joined by a Crown commissioner. The boards would be made up of district mayors.
These boards would be tasked with coming up with regional reorganisation plans and the regional councils would be out of business before the next local body elections in 2028.
Otago Regional Council chairwoman Hilary Calvert said at a council meeting on Wednesday she had been told by New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson the boards idea was now not a favoured option by the government.
She said it also appeared unlikely regional councils would be out of business before the end of the current triennium.
Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale said she had heard nothing from officials about the change.
‘‘But we’re waiting to hear what happens. Obviously, decisions made by government are going to make a big difference for us as to where we move or what we do.
‘‘We know it’s sitting in the sidelines and around things like the Otago Mayoral Forum and Canterbury Mayoral Forum — the conversations we’re having as to how we start entering into the regional conversations.
‘‘I think that there’s a recognition that something needs to change and we need to work together better.’’
She said there was plenty of commentary out there and it did not warrant listening to until something official came through.
She said there had certainly been some concerns raised around the boards and the workload. It was a big job to have the running of their own councils, the running of a regional council and have the job of looking at what regional view on what councils.
The Waitaki District Council had some clearly defined concerns that were given back to the government as part of its submission.
Ms Tavendale said it would not surprise her if there were some alterations to the proposal.
The delay was making it hard to plan for the future, she said.
‘‘The reform programme announced before Christmas was incredibly ambitious. I have not yet received information on the government’s intentions following the submission process,’’ Ms Alley said.
‘‘Entering into the next phase of planning for communities, including the likelihood of rates capping and RMA reform, is difficult with a lack of clarity around what services will be required to be delivered regionally. ‘‘
She said local government and local councils have been clear in recent years that the current model, developed in 1989, was no longer fit for purpose.
Otago mayors and Ms Calvert were committed to working together to ensure the best fit for our people into the future, she said.
Clutha District Mayor Jock Martin said he had not heard a thing about the changes since they had been announced, which was disappointing as the shake-up would have a big impact on district councils.
The devil would be in the details, which everyone was waiting for.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts said the government was actively considering how to best simplify the local government system, and intended to make announcements once those decisions are made.
‘‘Submissions from councils and New Zealanders more broadly have been vital in helping us work towards an effective approach to simplifying local government and we appreciate the expertise and level of engagement we have received.’’
Dunedin and Queenstown Lakes mayors could not be contacted.
