Prime Minister John Key. Photo / NZ Herald
How will Prime Minister John Key measure the success of the Super City?
Quite rightly, it will be for Auckland to judge the success of local Government reform.
Governments of all shades have complained about the bottlenecks caused by fragmented local Government in our largest metropolitan centre, and the National-led Government has moved decisively to establish a framework which will allow the new
council to determine its own destiny and deliver better, more co-ordinated, services for ratepayers.
The Government has worked hard to deliver a structure that will give the new mayor and councillors the flexibility to tackle the difficult issues which will inevitably come their way.
However, as with any big change, teething problems could always occur and central Government stands ready to assist if required.
Better customer service is a key element of the reforms and the new structure should deliver tangible benefits for Aucklanders from day one.
For example, the 850 forms currently used by councils in the region will be reduced to just 120.
There will be integrated planning and service delivery across the region; for instance, there will be one telephone number for people to ring with their problems. One organisation will control and manage transport, replacing nine separate transport entities. Its focus will be on delivering a transport network that supports Auckland's growth and economic success.
Similarly, one provider of integrated water supply and wastewater services should provide improved value for money.
Spatial and long-term planning by the Council will be critical. These important functions will be trusted to a new council, which will have the autonomy to make decisions in the best interests of the communities it represents. With one, clear, unified voice between Auckland and the Government, it's also expected the decision-making process on big projects will become more consistent.
While central Government established the legislation for one Auckland council, it will be up to Aucklanders to judge whether the reform of their local government has delivered.
We've put in place a structure that has the capacity to live up to community expectations, but it will be for the new council get on with the business of delivering on them.
* From the New Zealand Herald feature, 'Project Auckland - our city'
