Boundary decision helps district

A BOUNDARY change between Manawatu District and Palmerston North would not just benefit the city, but also have positive effects for the district, says District Mayor, Ian McKelvie.

He was commenting on the Joint Boundary Committee’s decision last week to proceed with the Draft Boundary Reorganisation Scheme, albeit with some minor changes.

The scheme had drawn 212 submissions from various organisations, groups and individuals, with the six-member committee conducting a four-day hearing for those submitters who wanted to present their views.

Mr McKelvie said there were some people who believed Palmerston North was the only beneficiary of the boundary change.

“However, what is good for the city is also good for us,” he said, “and we will grow and thrive alongside them. We are expecting a better performing economy, more and better-paid jobs, a better performing infrastructure and a much better planned future.

“This boundary change helps make our future more secure and that’s what this has been about. It is about a good deal for the ratepayers, about efficient, effective planning and about people making a good living from employment in their own backyard.”

He said council was absolutely delighted with the committee’s decision and looked forward to working with the city on the details as the boundary change came into effect.

Palmerston North Mayor, Jono Naylor, said the decision was important and would pave the way for significant growth in jobs within the region.

“Both councils strongly believed that the boundary change was the best option for the future of our region,” he said. “We know that firms have been looking at building new warehouses around the current boundary, and that different planning rules between the two councils has made it difficult for them and may have led to investment being taken elsewhere.”

The two councils will now review the decision and determine the implications of the alterations involving some land near Longburn, Bunnythorpe and Saddle Road, Ashhurst.

Committee Chair, Matt Bell, said it was a major decision for both councils and the best one looking forward, but he was conscious that any decision would be unpopular to some.

“The committee was satisfied that the majority of the scheme was appropriate, but felt some minor changes were warranted.”

He acknowledged the considerable effort that went into the process from staff and the individual submitters and his fellow committee members who worked well together and didn’t lose sight of the strategic nature of the decision.