The issue of reorganisation of Auckland Governance has been discussed for at least fifty years and covers a time span in excess of 100 years.  In 2006 some of the civic leaders of Auckland endeavoured to get together to address some of the outstanding issues relating to Auckland.   They were unfortunately unable to find agreement as a consequence of a meeting they held with the then Prime Minister, Helen Clark, and Minister of Local Government the government established a Royal Commission on Auckland Governance which reported back to the Governor General early in 2009.  The present government has continued with the initiative started by the previous government to establish a structure that gives the Council of Auckland the ability to make smart and timely decisions that will see Auckland grow into a world-class, competitive city able to compete on the international stage.

Auckland governance

Auckland’s future depends on critical decisions being taken at a regional level.  Our view is that region-wide decision-making must have region-wide governance arrangements to overcome the competing interests, parochialism and factionalism that has held the region back for too long.

The Auckland Council, as a unitary authority governing the region, will represent the interests of the entire Auckland region and foster a common identity and purpose.  The proposed changes are expected to result in greater efficiencies through less duplication and waste, as well as faster progress on issues which have gone unresolved for many years, such as transport and infrastructure planning.

Having a unified Auckland Council will consolidate and streamline services such as administration and office systems, finance, human resources, information technology and delivery of services.  Each council currently operates its own systems and the cost is great.

Legislative programme

The Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill provides for the high-level framework for the structure of the Auckland Council, including 20-30 proposed local boards.  It empowers the Local Government Commission to determine the boundaries of the Council, wards, and the number, membership, and boundaries of local boards, and provides for the integration of Auckland’s water services. 

This Bill is currently before the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee.  The Committee has received about 2,500 public submissions on the Bill, and considered these throughout July.  The Committee will report back to the House by 4 September 2009.

Central government engagement with Auckland local government

Central and local government need to better complement each other through aligned planning and action, coordinating their efforts to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for Auckland.  This will be assisted by developing a clear understanding of each party’s objectives and ensuring open and constructive engagement.

Ongoing engagement mechanisms need to be simple, effective, and build on what already works well. 

Planning

For Auckland to fulfil its potential, all its plans for transport, infrastructure, economic development, environmental protection and managing growth need to be coordinated.  Disputes are regular among councils over urban growth and the development and integration of key infrastructure.  Councils do not agree on, or apply, consistent standards and plans.  Sharing of services among councils is limited, yet there is scope for so much more activity in this area.

Consultation and decision-making processes are prolonged and duplicative, and often fail to provide a true measure of what citizens want, and what is in their best interests.  This results in poor or delayed decision-making, with elected leaders and officials finding it hard to do their jobs effectively.

There will be an integrated approach to all Auckland Council planning.  This will give Auckland a united voice when working with central government.

This will involve a single long-term council community plan (LTCCP) for the Auckland Council.

The LTCCP will be given effect to in a statutory Regional Infrastructure Investment Plan and an Auckland Spatial Plan. 

These plans will be given effect to in a Transport Plan, Regional Policy Statement, and the District Plan.

Regional infrastructure investment and spatial plans will enable the Auckland Council and central government to more effectively plan its investments in the Auckland region.

A spatial plan will pull together all economic, infrastructure, environment and other plans to ensure that collectively they can support the best outcomes for the Auckland region.  It will set out:

• how the region will develop in the future;


• where critical infrastructure services will be located, for example, water sewerage and roads; and


• the future location and mix of residential, business and industrial activities within specific geographic areas.

The Minister for the Environment is considering how these changes could work in practice, and what is needed to ensure they happen.

Economic development

If Auckland’s economy thrives, New Zealand’s economy thrives.  That’s why the Government is determined to set up governance arrangements that enhance the productivity and competitiveness of Auckland’s businesses.

The Government’s decisions are designed to help Auckland perform well as the engine for New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity. 

The region’s facilities need to be operated to maximise economic development, tourism and events.

Pace of change

The Government is acting deliberately, carefully and with purpose to heed the call for change from Aucklanders. 

The Government considers it important to act now.  The short transition period will minimise uncertainty and disruption for council staff and the public.

Failure to take action would result in citizens and businesses continuing to incur high transaction costs in dealing with Auckland councils.  Important decisions would either not be made or made too late.

The Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act 2009 was passed under urgency, enabling the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) to begin its work on establishing the new structures.  It also ensures that the decisions and actions of existing local authorities take proper account of the changes soon to be made.

However, the Government is also mindful of the need to continue to provide existing local body services to Aucklanders.

Transport

Consolidation of all local authority transport functions into a single entity will overcome many of the current problems of fragmented and protracted decision-making, unclear responsibilities and inadequate accountability.

The Ministry of Transport is working with other Government agencies and the ATA about an earlier in-principle decision to set up an Auckland Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

Consultation processes

Significant effort has been made to keep Aucklanders well-informed of progress on Auckland governance issues and to invite input into ongoing decision-making. 

Government Ministers have engaged with members of the Auckland public over a period of months.

Resource Management Act Reforms

My colleague, Hon Dr Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment, is responsible for the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).  RMA reforms are being progressed through Parliament in two phases. 

The first reform phase, the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill, is about addressing the excessive bureaucracy, costs and delays of the RMA.  It includes provisions to improve plan development and plan change processes, improve resource consent processes, and streamline decision-making.

The Government recognises that the efficient processing of resource consents is critical to lifting productivity and the creation of new jobs.  The recently released Resource Management Act Survey of Local Authorities report for the two years ending July 2008 shows that 69 per cent of resource consent applications were processed within the statutory timeframes.  The Bill simplifies the consent process and provides incentives for Councils to improve their consenting timeframes.

The second reform phase is more complex and includes work to:

• improve management of aquaculture, infrastructure, urban design and water;


• develop the scope, functions and structure of the proposed Environmental Protection Agency; and


• better align RMA processes with those of the Building, Conservation, Forests, and Historic Places Acts. 

Due to the complex nature of the second phase of the RMA reform programme, work will progress at a more modest pace.  It will involve a number of advisory groups and significant opportunities for public consultation and engagement. 

Conclusion

Ultimately, this Government is committed to fixing the infrastructure problems that hold us back, to targeting projects that will help build a higher performing economy, and to enhancing this great city.

As you have heard there is a broad array of reform work underway and officials are engaging with the sector and working with LGNZ on much of this work.

Councils are being encouraged to contribute to the ongoing work through this organisation. 

The Government acknowledges that there are real challenges in the current environment. But within the Local Government portfolio the opportunities for enhancing and strengthening this City and the sector should still be grasped, as delay would only hinder prospects for growth and our nation.

END