Malcolm Dixon: Time to step out of comfort zones

Malcolm Dixon

I was out at a function recently when I was approached to explain the role of local boards if amalgamation was to succeed.

Apologies for the simplicity, but a number of previous writers have complicated the issue and clouded the debate. In attempting to explain this, the important part is to think local.

There will be five local boards: Wairoa, Ngaruroro (rural), Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay. They will all have board members elected by the locals who will be supported by two councillors from their ward to ensure good co-ordination. Local boards will be responsible for local parks and reserves, arts and cultural facilities, libraries, community and cultural events, town centres, main streets, community grants, local transport infrastructure, waste and recycling facilities and local economic development initiatives. Your local board will look after and care for you. They will all have local area offices to look to local needs. Local boards will be funded from a proportionally based grant from the council, and have real power.

It is the amalgamated council and its elected mayor who will have responsibility for matters that impact across Hawke's Bay: land-use planning, infrastructure, roading, stormwater, sewerage, coastal erosion, building permits and resource management consents and rates. This will mean that if you are a property developer - one application; running a major event - one application; setting up a new industry - one application. The needs of Hawke's Bay will be prioritised, not each council doing its own thing as is currently happening. Hawke's Bay will finally be thinking regionally.

Currently here in Hawke's Bay we do very successfully a number of things on a regional basis and they cover a wide facet of our community. A regional hospital, a regional prison, regional sports teams, (Sport HB, Netball HB, Hockey HB, Magpies, Bay Hawks, Ramblers) regional cycle trails, regional attractions, regional events. When you look through the list the major one that is missing is local government. Shortly we will all have the opportunity to change that.

When you vote, think regionally, think strategically, think economically, think growth, think employment, and think positively.

Move away from the current thinking that goes something like this: It is fabulous living in Wairoa; with a population of around 8000, we need to stay the way we are. It is not a problem that our population has dropped by more than 1000 over the last ten years.

If the same continues over the next 10 years we will know everyone in town and, instead of a choice of 10 shops, we will be able to select from three. That is the way we like it up here.

Here in Central Hawke's Bay we are all very conservative and independent, so life is just fine. Our sewerage still works, as it has done for years, straight into the Tukituki, so why change? We still wake up with smiles on our faces and the freedom to say and do what we wish.

Napier is absolutely thriving; we are now hell bent on attracting events for Napier so that here in Napier we can wallow in our glory and show everyone how good we all are. To hell with Hawke's Bay, we are Napier 110 per cent.

In Hastings the infrastructure is up to date, new industries are coming on board, the pip-fruit industry is rocketing along, the grapes have been picked and the vintage will be a delight to enjoy. We have to improve our socioeconomic, employment and health stats.

Central Government has made it clear they are not interested in working with five councils with five different agendas, five different plans where the ratepayers all work and socialise together and travel on the same roads and use the same facilities, resources and venues. So, 160,000 people needing five councils is nonsense. To quote Minister of Local Government Paula Bennett last month: "I am concerned that regions are still having the same conversations that they have been having for the past 30 years. Now is the time to take a mature look at the structure that is needed in your region to lock in change. Be brave - own the change and we will do everything we can to assist and support you. But let me be clear - there will be change."

That makes it clear we need to be Hawke's Bay promoting Hawke's Bay and meaning it, not just giving it lip service. If the amalgamation debate has done one thing, it has made people across Hawke's Bay show their true colours. Napier has never ever been so proactive promoting Napier. Under amalgamation they will still have a local board like everyone else but will find it easier with one council to find a solution for Westshore and counteract the liquefaction concerns when that data is announced.

In conclusion: local needs will be the domain of the local boards, regional needs will be that of the council and if we want support from central Government it is essential the ratepayers throughout Hawke's Bay move out of their comfort zones and vote for change. Change is coming our way, whether we like it or not.

-Malcolm Dixon is a Hastings district councillor.

-Views expressed here are the writer's opinion, and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz

-Viewpoints on the Hawke's Bay amalgamation debate can be submitted for consideration and will be used as long as no council resources, money, time or expertise are used in their preparation. This is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2002.