Former Mayor Backs Eastern Bay Leaders Amid Governance Overhaul

Former Whakatāne Mayor Judy Turner said uncertainty remains around how proposed governance changes could affect rates, infrastructure and council services across the Bay of Plenty.

Following last week’s announcement that Bay of Plenty councils have three months to propose new local governance arrangements, former Whakatāne mayor Judy Turner says Eastern Bay leaders are facing significant pressure as they work through the process.

Despite concerns about the timeframe, uncertainty around the reforms and the potential impact on ratepayers, Turner said she remains confident in local mayors handling the situation.

“The mayors have acted very fast and proactively started conversations between themselves, which I’m very proud of,” she said.

“I think they’ve got a very tough thing to process, and I don’t think many of us know the details.”

“They may have been told more details than the rest of us are privy to, but I do trust the fact that they have acted very speedily.”

Turner said the timing of the announcement, so close to local body elections, came as a surprise.

“Here we are literally a couple of months away from another election ... I’m confused.”

“I’ve never heard of such a big project that seems to be being announced and pushed forward so close to an election with relatively small timeframes.”

She said she is interested in hearing Labour’s position on the reforms, noting there had so far been limited public comment from the party.

Eastern Bay of Plenty District Mayors. FILE IMAGE:Supplied 

One of her biggest concerns is the potential impact on rates and the cost of everyday council services.

"What's that going to do to our rates bill if we are sharing the costs of three councils or five if we go the whole regional size?"

"What does that do to our rates bill? And you would like to think it brought it down, but I'm not convinced."

Questions also remain around how existing long-term plans for infrastructure, including water and roading, will fit into a larger regional structure, she said.

“How will those be received when they have to be part of a bigger picture?”

She also questioned how existing long-term plans for infrastructure such as water and roading would fit into a larger regional structure, alongside potentially added responsibilities. 

Bay of Plenty Regional Council responsibilities including river management, flood protection, and coastal work, already represent a significant work load, she said.

"It is a very big workload that has, of course, a very large staff to manage, and so who exactly is going to be managing those teams?"

Differences between councils across the Bay of Plenty would make any governance changes complex, she said.

"I know that, for instance, Whakatāne as a district is a very large area, supported by quite a relatively small rate-paying base."

"And I know that in Kawerau, they have some very large industries that contribute to the rates bill and keep it very affordable for them."

"What happens to them where they're now accountable for the infrastructure of a much wider area?"

Turner said it remains unclear whether council systems or responsibilities will be merged, and what effect any changes could have on ratepayers.

Despite the short time frame the Government ultimately making final decisions, Turner said she remains confident in Eastern Bay leadership.

"I think that we've got three very good leaders and three very good teams behind them, so I'm feeling very confident that they'll process it as well as they can with the time they're being given."

Until then, Turner said the proposal will be a wait and see process.

Mayor Faylene Tunui and Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore have been approached for comment.