Editorial: Problems still need to be addressed

A decision needs to be made regarding amalgamtion. Pictured is Napier Mayor Bill Dalton and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule.

A decision on amalgamation of Hawke's Bay's local councils will be announced this week.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Local Government Commission, which will let us know whether it has decided to proceed with a referendum on the issue or to can it.

The commission would not be pushed on when exactly this week, but other sources tell us it could be today.

It is fantastic news that a decision will finally be made and we can work out the best way to tackle our future.

If the decision is to proceed with a referendum then the people who really count (the residents of Hawke's Bay) will have the opportunity to vote for what they want - amalgamation or no amalgamation. That will bring the matter to a head and at least we will have a final date.

If the decision this week is no, then the status quo will remain.

Either way, the problems facing this province will not go away and will need to be addressed. The key is for our political leaders, no matter what their viewpoint, to work together on a long-term economic plan for the region. The worry is that whichever side (and unfortunately it has become about sides) wins, they will just continue to push their viewpoint and not seek to find unity in the province. The winners should not take the decision as a licence to exclude the other leaders.

This newspaper has not taken a position on amalgamation, but we have taken a position on what our politicians need to do to solve the problems that put our province at the bottom of almost any economic table there is.

Our leaders need to show unity and work together. The public viewpoint is that not enough is being done to lift our economic fortunes.

Whatever the result, it is time for our political leaders to step up.