KEY POINTS:
The Government has been urged to set up an independent commission of inquiry to look at reform of Auckland's local government.
A commission would review how Auckland's eight local bodies could best be restructured to meet the needs of a fast-growing region, the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development said.
The council, a non-profit organisation that seeks to encourage best practice in national infrastructure development, said any necessary changes should be made before the 2010 local body elections.
Last week, the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) called for a super-council for Auckland, and National Party leader John Key promised reforms.
Council chief executive Stephen Selwood said a letter had been sent to Prime Minister Helen Clark and Local Government Minister Mark Burton requesting that the Cabinet set up a commission of inquiry.
He said he found broad backing for the proposal while discussing the issue with more than 50 business, sports, arts, Maori, environmental, cultural and educational organisations in the past six weeks.
"Everywhere I go, I find widespread agreement that the complex local body structure in Auckland, with eight councils, eight plans and 264 elected politicians, is holding Auckland back.
"Community-based and business organisations are frustrated by indecision, competing leadership, complex bureaucratic structures, red tape, lack of direction, and inconsistent and insufficient funding."
Mr Selwood said the Government had espoused a vision of Auckland as one of the 21st century's leading metropolitan regions and able to compete on the international stage.
This needed significant investment in infrastructure, such as high-speed broadband, effective transport networks, high-quality water services and a resilient energy supply.
It also required advancing the region's arts, sport and cultural identity and building social cohesion in a multicultural society.
Mr Selwood said tinkering around the edges would not achieve thisvision.
"We need a new and simpler local governance structure that operates more efficiently and can make timely decisions which take into account the interests of all Aucklanders."
Auckland has four city and three district councils, as well the Auckland Regional Council.
Last year, the four city mayors discussed the idea of a super-council.
However, it was shelved after opposition from the Rodney, Papakura and Franklin districts, as well as the Auckland Regional Council, which were all shut out of the discussions.
It also met opposition from several of the mayors' own councillors.
- NZPA
