The Local Government Commission has done it to Tauranga again. Their decision to alter the wards from one elected number to two for each of the three wards defies logic and what those who appealed wanted.

The Local Government Commission has done it to Tauranga again. Their decision to alter the wards from one elected number to two for each of the three wards defies logic and what those who appealed wanted.
Worst of all their decision is final. Six years ago this same panel comprising Sue Piper, an unfrocked Wellington City Councillor, Gwen Bull unfrocked Auckland Regional Council chairwoman and Grant Kirby, former commissioner in Rodney District after the government fired the dysfunctional council, decided on three wards for Tauranga despite a referendum showing most people not wanting this.
Before this new decision there were seven councillors elected at large and three councillors for the three wards – a total of 10. So you were able to vote for eight of your council out of 10; seven at large, one for your ward. Now you only get a vote for six; four at large and two for your ward. This isn't democracy. It's a pathetic attempt to divide and rule from people who live in a left wing past in my view. It's a double whammy when you consider that their past decision was for only one ward member. What changed? Tauranga has grown into one city and that was why council recommended a 10 seat council, all elected at large, so that everyone had the opportunity to elect the full 10 members. That's true democracy. The Mounties fought a good argument to preserve their patch. So a compromise solution was two wards – East and West – and at the hearing this was canvassed.
I sat in on most of the hearing and commission member Grant Kirby in particular seemed to be coming from a pre-determined position with his questions and particularly on the ‘community of interest' between Pyes Pa, Otumoetai, Bethlehem and Matua, he clearly has no idea. Unbelievably this same commission recently changed Rotorua from wards to an at-large council. It's almost like they are paying back non left wing electorates.
One other factor, and a major one, is that when you sign your declaration to be an elected member you specifically state you will make decisions for the whole city – not as a ward or parochial decision. And by and large that's what happens. John Key promised to take local government seriously. This commission is a sick joke and should never have been reappointed – especially as they were a Labour Government appointment in the first place. It's not clear what they hoped to achieve, in view of the above, so I'm left with the view that they just decided to stick it to us – which they did.
Reviewing the costs
Pursuing a policy of having elected members familiar with city infrastructure so they better understand what they are considering, the projects committee recently undertook site visits. It was good that everyone turned up and saw the plant first hand. At Te Maunga Wastewater Treatment plant I noticed a few hanging back from a close inspection of the replacement primary filter screens. Understandably! New screens cost $1.3 million. 97 per cent of wastewater is water transporting three per cent solids that get separated out. An aside here, I recently viewed a biofuel made from wood chips and sewerage sludge so maybe we're sitting on a future goldmine, so to speak.
Free libraries
Free libraries – as I noted last week there is no such thing. $6.8 million budget, of which $1.621 million gets spent buying books etc $140 per ratepayer. $18,630 per day – about $7 per book issue. So nothing is free and what we are discussing is who is going to pay. Some say they can't afford 50c a book. Others say they can't afford the $140 in their rates, others say they don't use the library and are subsidising others' recreation. I've an open mind on this one. My dear departed mum used to tell me that all she got from her rates was the library. Other views are that some don't want to pay 50c, don't want their rates to go up and don't want the level of service cut. Oh dear, what do you do?
65.3 full time equivalent staff (93 total) a salary bill of $3.361 million with five being paid over $100,000. None of this is a criticism but it is important that those touting for the status quo understand the whole story. Andrew Carnegie, the American Steel magnate who donated money to build libraries wasn't stupid. He knew where the real costs were and that's in the ongoing operation. In Tauranga it's about 10 per cent of your rates.
Paying the rates
Talking about rates which you will have received, remember to file your application for rates rebate available through council for lower income earners; phone city hall 5777 000 for details. There is a sliding scale of eligibility and you should enquire to make sure you get your entitlement.
On other matters, the downtown bus station will be shifting up to Durham Street for three months while works go on in Willow Street. This is a temporary measure – just to make it clear.
Spending for the future
Southern Pipeline getting across the harbour is still unresolved. Plan A is for a joint venture with On Track, a government agency which owns the Matapihi Rail Bridge. This offers them the opportunity to strengthen the bridge and council pays the cost for an underwater trenching system towards the total cost of the bridge upgrade. Talks continue – and continue – Plan B is we will go under the harbour and D-Day approaches. I was intrigued to learn that former Transit NZ bureaucrat Rick van Berneveld is now with On Track. Amazing how people pop up in unexpected places isn't it.
Civil Defence budget is down $14,000 to $320,000, but this doesn't address funding for the Tsunami Warning System. We've reached the budget ceiling set by Credit Agency Standard and Poors – our overdraft limit if you like – so where the money will come from for all future wish list projects not in the 10 year plan is anyone's guess. Which will become a three year plan according to Rodney Hide. Much more sensible.