Westies warn of losing their identity

West Auckland community groups want the Government to protect the identity of the west in its plans for an Auckland Super City.

Trusts, residents' associations and community organisations were almost unified last night in calling for more power for local boards and criticising the election of at-large councillors.

The Government is proposing eight councillors be elected by voters throughout the region, meaning one councillor is likely to represent about 100,000 residents.

Several groups making submissions to the parliamentary select committee hearing on the Super City plan expressed concern that Waitakere City's green image would be compromised by the Government's proposals for a Super City council.

Henderson Valley Residents' Association spokesman Ron Watson said it would be difficult for a single councillor to address the various ecological concerns of the Waitakere Ranges community.

"Under the current proposal [Waitakere] is very likely to be swallowed up into another community which it is at odds with. It is shaping up to be a central-city biased, commercially driven body."

"The area - the Waitakere Ranges, the West Coast beaches - needs to be recognised for its special values and we want to know it will receive appropriate support."

Resident Kath Dewar said the Royal Commission had recognised Waitakere's "exceptional commitment to community consultation", and was concerned this would be compromised under revised Government proposals.

"There is a real risk to the great progress in social and environmental well-being Waitakere has made ... it could be lost if this plan is rushed through."

Groups making submission had several recommendations on the number of boards the council should have. But Community Waitakere Charitable Trust spoke for almost everyone when it said each board needed to have adequate resources and money.

Titirangi Ratepayers and Residents Association chairman Greg Presland expressed his organisation's concern that the Super City plan was being rushed, without adequate transparency and consultation.

He said the Government was legally bound to inform Auckland residents and keepits mind open on submissions.

"At the moment the process is being shoe-horned into the period before the next election. It should be revised to be in place by 2014," he said.

Mr Presland said the "at large" election proposal would give the campaigning advantage to wealthy politicians.

A candidate would have to spend between $45,000 and $65,000 in an election campaign.

"This will exclude up to 95 per cent of people who could run, and define the people who will be successful."

Waitakere City Council will present its submission today, producing new poll results showing residents want local communities to have greater powers than the Government has proposed.

One poll shows 86 per cent of Waitakere residents want the proposed local boards, which will replace the region's councils, to be able to make important decisions and be given the money to implement them.

Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said that the council would present that and other polls this morning to show its views were consistent with those of the community, and so that it would not be accused of being parochial.