Where do each of the candidates stand in terms of the amalgamation of Napier & Hastings Councils?
How likely do each of you think the amalgamation will happen?
Rosie
Candidate Answers
Candidate
Answer
Hi Rosie
You will see from my key issues that I am a strong supporter of amalgamation of Hastings, Napier, HB Regional Council and preferably Central Hawkes Bay and Wairoa. Under current legislation there has to be a referendum with majority support from voters in each affected area. My judgement is that Hastings would vote in support of amalgamation (as they did in the late 1990s) and Napier would vote against (as they did in 1990s). We therefore need to do some serious homework to develop a model that will get Hawke\'s Bay wide support. Whether I am re-elected or not, I intend to pursue this goal in the next three years.
Failing this, I believe that the government may force amalgamation upon us but there is no certainty that this will happen within three years.
Regards Cynthia
Hi Rosie, I think there is some merit for amalgamation, especially around efficiencies, however I am not convinced that the community board feeding into an amalgamated Council is the ideal representation model, as the further you get away from those you are meant to represent, the more likely issues get \"watered down\". At the moment I think the current practice of amalgamating particular services such as the Landfill and the HB Museums Trust is the best option going forward and should be continued and expanded as appropriate. I also think the poor performance of Venture Hawkes Bay has frustrated some ratepayers. As a ratepayer I would like to see HB Regional Council doing a better job of working for the region and being the \"glue\" that bonds Napier, Hastings and the region together in a united front.
I think the amalgamation has a 50/50 likelihood of happening in the next five years, but a 95% likelihood of it happening by 2020.
Thanks for your question,
Regards Anne Wilson-Hunt
