From:
s9(2)(a)
To:
Wayne Heerdegen; Raewyn Bleakley
Subject:
Strengthening the Wellington region - progress update July 2016: EMBARGOED UNTIL 3.00PM TODAY
Date:
Friday, 29 July 2016 11:45:57 a.m.
Attachments:
Final July Update media release.docx
Strengthening the Wellington region - Progress update 5.05pm 28 July.docx
Wairarapa Engagement Summary July 2016 12.15pm Thursday 28 July 2016.docx
Dear Raewyn and Wayne,
Later today the Local Government Commission will be releasing a progress update on its work
with councils and communities to strengthen local government in the Wellington region. This
work follows the Commission’s decision in June 2015 not to proceed with a proposal for a
unitary council for the region.
THE ACT
Attached, for your information, is the package of materials and announcements from the
Commissioners.
These materials are embargoed until 3.00pm today when they will be publicly released.
Kind regards
s9(2)(a)
UNDER
s9(2)(a)
| Chief Executive Officer| Local Government Commission
Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
Phone + s9(2)(a)
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s9(2)(a)
RELEASED
OFFICIAL

Document Outline

Strengthening the Wellington region - progress update July 2016_ EMBARGOED UNTIL 3.00PM TODAY
Attachment_17_Final_July_Update_media_release
Attachment_17_Strengthening_the_Wellington_region_-_Progress_update_5.05pm_28_July
- Introduction
  - Why the Commission is looking at local government in the Wellington region
  - A new approach
  - Five priorities for strengthening the region’s local government arrangements
- Governance for the Wairarapa
  - The current situation
  - Why is Wairarapa governance important to the Wellington region?
  - Our work in this area
    - Option A – no change
    - Option B – a single district council for the Wairarapa
    - Option C – a single district council with a unitary plan committee with the regional council
    - Option D – a single district council with two formal committees with the regional council
    - Option E – a single district council which takes on major regional council responsibilities
    - Option F – a unitary council
    - Māori representation for each of the options
    - Analysis of the options
      - Methodology
      - Results of the assessment
      - Engagement programme
  - The Commission’s decisions and next steps
- Land transport
  - The current situation
  - Why are land transport arrangements important to the Wellington region?
  - Our work in this area
    - Problem 1: Poor alignment and integration between transport activities in the region
    - Problem 2: Constraints on capability for strategic advice, planning and service delivery by agencies
    - Options for transport in Wellington
      - Option B: Coordination measures - non-structural measures to improve alignment
      - Option C: Pooled technical support for transport planning and traffic management functions and capabilities
      - Option D: Wellington Roads, Paths and Cycleways
      - Option E: Wellington Transport
  - The Commission’s decisions and next steps
- Water services
  - The current situation
  - Why are water services important to the Wellington region?
  - Our work in this area
    - Recommendations for Wellington Water and its council owners
    - Recommendations for the wider region, including Kāpiti Coast, South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton District Councils
    - Medium- to long-term recommendations for Wellington Water’s owner councils
  - The Commission’s decisions and next steps
- Spatial planning
  - The current situation
  - Why is spatial planning important to the Wellington region?
  - Our work in this area
  - The Commission’s decisions and next steps
- Regional economic development
  - The current situation
  - Why is regional economic development important to Wellington?
  - Our work in this area
  - The Commission’s decisions and next steps
- Summary of progress
  - Governance for the Wairarapa
  - Land transport
  - Water services
  - Spatial planning
  - Economic development
- Next steps