KEY POINTS:
Auckland's councils could hand their powers over to a new regional authority under a revamp of the region's governance.
The new model of management, known as Model 3, would reduce council functions and decision-making while creating a new regional authority which be bigger and stronger than the present Auckland Regional Council.
It is the most radical of three models put before the region's eight councils.
The options are the result of six weeks' work by a political reference group formed after the four big-city mayors unsuccessfully proposed the region should be amalgamated into one or three cities in the name of unity and progress.
Model 2 calls for councils to cede only some power while a regional assembly of councils' representatives would be formed to prepare "One Plan" for sustainable management, economic development and improved transport.
Model 1 suggests the status quo, with the addition of a regional development forum directing priority spending on infrastructure.
ARC chairman Mike Lee said yesterday figures were not yet available to show what effect each model would have on rates.
He thought the ARC would prefer a "slimmed down" version of Model 3 if there was a clearer definition of roles and demonstrated cost savings.
But a Waitakere City Council Councillor Derek Battersby called Model 3 "amalgamation by stealth".
He disapproved of the option that would bring control of the region's drinking water, sewerage and stormwater under one regional authority.
"A lot of councils would see that as a precursor to privatisation of the water industry," said Mr Battersby.
Model 3 would also give a regional authority control of environmental regulation, transport, regional parks, economic development, urban redevelopment and regional facilities funding.
Councils would be left with providing community services, libraries, town centre revamps, street planting, environmental health, local facilities and local park.
"Our council would be diluted so much, why have us at all?" Mr Battersby asked.
Auckland City Councillor Toni Millar was concerned that "Joe Bloggs public" would have a reduced say in how local government spent rates money.
"Auckland City is the wealthiest city structure in assets and we will be totally stripped.
"How will Auckland people be recompensed as shareholders should be?"
However, group chairman and Papakura Mayor John Robertson said unifying local government and making it more effective and efficient was the focus of discussion.
"This not about changing the territorial authority boundaries."
Mr Robertson said the revamp was one of the most important pieces of governance work undertaken in the region for some time.
Time frames for developing options were tight and councils must resolve their views by the end of the month.
New legislation will be needed to reform roles and responsibilities.
The Government could consider a proposal next month to enable a bill to be drafted and passed before the October 2007 local body elections.
Public views will be heard when the bill is with a parliamentary select committee.
GOVERNING AUCKLAND
Model 1
* No change to council powers or elected representation
* Regional development forum with representatives from all councils directing priority infrastructure investment, regional facilities
* Participation voluntary
* Share services such as rates billing services
Model 2
* Councils cede some sovereignty and autonomy
* Regional assembly formed from appointed representatives of councils
* Would produce "One Plan" by consensus, with strategies for transport, urban redevelopment, regional facilities, economic development and tourism
* All councils bound to carry out strategies
Model 3
* Create a new regional authority to plan and pay for key functions transferred from councils and the Government
* Authority would look after transport, water services, economic development, tourism, urban redevelopment and the ARC's Resource Management Act responsibilities
* Reduce functions and decision-making for councils and potentially the Government
* A Regional Development Forum allows input from central, regional and local government to influence each other's actions
