Super-city concept doomed to fail

The tragedy of all of this is that it's almost certainly doomed to fail.

THE Local Government Commission has over-reached itself by recommending a Wellington super-city encompassing Wairarapa, Kapiti, Hutt, Porirua and Wellington.

The tragedy of all of this is that it's almost certainly doomed to fail. It is possible that, after the consultation and submission close in March, the LGC could come up with another draft proposal. Submissions will flood in, and the LGC will consider them. It may be their weight will persuade them another option is better.

But if the draft proposal, as it stands now, becomes the final proposal, then in my view it's scuppered. The region is far too divisive to stomach the concept, if the recent comments from the mayors are anything to go by.

Porirua's Nick Leggett is perhaps the warmest of the mayors, but none of them seem happy about the idea.

The interesting thing will be which local authority population will be the first to gear up a petition with enough signatures (10 per cent) to trigger a referendum. Early talk suggests Carterton will put up a challenge, but I have no doubt Hutt City will fire one up. Mayor Ray Wallace has not been shy about shunning Wellington, preferring, like Wairarapa, a unitary authority with Upper Hutt.

Or could it be the locality of Mara, in the Tararua district, that triggers the referendum with just two signatures? Mara's 11 rateable properties lie, by a quirk of boundaries, within the Wellington region, and thus they are affected electors.

In any case, a regionwide referendum will strike a substantial emotive vote "against" from Wairarapa, although there are supporters who can see clear benefits.

Surveys in Lower Hutt indicated a dislike for joining Wellington. There are plenty in Porirua who dislike putting the word "Porirua" on their return address and would like to be part of Wellington. Kapiti, in my view, with a large collection of retired Wellington elite, has preferred to be aligned with Wellington rather than the cockies of Manawatu.

But generally, despite the arguments of economic benefits, people don't like melting pots. If it comes to the vote, the super-city isn't going to make it.