Have your say and help Save Papakura

 

The people of Papakura have a critical role to play in helping to preserve the identity, autonomy and character of the district according to Papakura’s Mayor and elected members of Council.

 

Mayor Calum Penrose says Papakura faces its most important challenge in many years as the Government’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Auckland region’s governance seeks submissions on how the region should be run in coming years.

 

The Commission is looking at how the region works, at matters affecting the regional economy, how essential services are provided and how best to solve issues that are hampering the growth of the region. Among options that are being suggested are one “mega” Council running the region, and drawing districts such as Papakura together to create bigger sub-regional councils.

 

Mr Penrose said if Papakura is absorbed into a larger council, key decisions that affect Papakura will be made in other parts of Auckland. Planning and funding for community events, money to maintain infrastructure such as stormwater systems, streets and parks and the district’s many locally-run projects would be at risk.

 

“Most local decisions are best made at a local level. This is the most effective, efficient way to get things done. Papakura is an efficient provider of cost-effective local infrastructure and services and we outperform other Auckland Councils in this regard. We have the lowest rates and some of the lowest debt per head in the Auckland region. Compared to other Councils we run a very lean organisation. Any amalgamation would destroy these advantages.”

 

Papakura has launched a public campaign to state its case for remaining independent of larger local government organisations and to encourage local people to get involved.

 

The first phase of the campaign is a web site, www.savepapakura.co.nz which argues the case for continued independence, explains the Council’s position on the issue and features a weblog or “blog” that gives local people the opportunity to join the debate.

 

Launched today, Wednesday April 2, the web site also gives information about how to lodge a submission. Hard copy information is available at the Council’s main office at 35 Coles Crescent and at the Sir Edmund Hillary Public Library.

 

For those without web access, the Council is making computers available at the Council offices and at the Sir Edmund Hillary Library with free dedicated internet access to the www.savepapakura.co.nz  web site.

 

“We want local people to have their say, we want them to debate issues and use the web site. If Papakura people are only motivated on one issue this year, this is it. With your help we can keep Papakura independent and as a community help to guide its future development.”

 

Mr Penrose and the other elected members of the Council are urging people to support Papakura’s fight to remain independent and to make their own submissions in support of independence. Elected members of the Council will be out and about in the district over coming weeks talking to people about the commission and encouraging submissions from as many members of the community as possible.

 

Further phases in Papakura’s awareness campaign will be announced as the deadline for submissions, April 22, looms closer.

 

“This is about keeping democracy local. Bigger bureaucracies are seldom more efficient, and they do not have any particular commitment to the many areas they service. If people don’t take this chance to have their say, there is a very real chance that the unique identity of this district could be lost forever