1. Local Waters Done Well Summary for the TCC Online Survey
There is an unnecessary rush to make a decision on Local Wate rs Done Well. All the facts are not in and from what we understand, the numbers underlining the information that have been presented to the ratepayers can not be peer reviewed as the workings are confidential and proprietary to the consultant Martin Jenkins. (How can this happen???)
Until these workings are made public, it is impossible for the councillors and the ratepayers to understand the assumptions and calculations. These workings should be made available to everyone and openly peer reviewed.
As it is, according to the numbers released to the public,
the publicized savings are very small,
may be easily lost in the increased costs of the new organization(s)
do not compensate for the loss of local control and
will allow uncapped water rate increases.
Rotorua City Council is delaying their decision for two years to allow all the facts to be accumulated and assessed. This is the approach that PRRA recommends for Tauranga City Council, delay the decision by two years as it is in the too hard basket at present for the above reasons. Slow down the haste to make a decision and allow the time for each councillor to fully understand the financials.
Otherwise, keeping local control and retaining the status quo is the decision of the PRRA. This aligns and complies with the government regulations. The information in the council documents to the general public is misleading about this point.
The three options being put forward by Tauranga City Council. All Options align with the new Government legislation and are permitted. There is no need to change.
Their preferred option “Our proposal” is the worst case for ratepayers and will be out of direct council control and ratepayer influence. Water rates rises will be uncapped and unchecked.
No merger of local body assets has ever resulted in a cheaper model for the ratepayers.
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Please make a submission. The current model is the best. Local control and restricts increased council borrowing.