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April 1999 C H R I S T C H
U R C H C I T Y C O U N C I L · Y O U R P E O P L E · Y O U R
C I T Y
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BANKS
PENINSULA AMALGATION
| This Christchurch City Scene special is
part of the first stage of seeking the views of Christchurch people on whether you think
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula councils should be amalgamated. On page three is a
response form that you can |
fill in and mail back to Christchurch
City Council with your views. These must be back at Christchurch City Council by Thursday,
12 May, 1999 to give us time to tell the Local Government Commission your views. |
Why are your views needed?
The Port Hills mark the boundary between Christchurch City and the greater Banks Peninsula
area. The region's people must now decide whether these hills should continue to mark an
administrative, as well as physical boundary. |
The Local Government Commission, a
central government agency responsible for determining boundaries between councils, has
recommended that Christchurch City amalgamate with Banks Peninsula District. This follows
a petition from Banks Peninsula residents requesting an amalgamation. Its report is called
a draft reorganisation scheme. Christchurch City Council does not want to respond without
first asking residents for their views. There are three specific issues that we have
identified as being important. These are:
| If the poll later this year
returns a "yes" vote from both Council areas, full amalgamation will take place
at the time of the 2001 local authority elections. |
- Do you think the two areas have a common identity or should they remain separate?
- As a Christchurch resident are you prepared to accept a small rate rise balanced out by
an improvement in services such as parks and roads in the current Banks Peninsula District
Council area?
- As a Christchurch City resident, how do you feel about Peninsula residents having
proportionately better representation on the proposed new Council?
A response form on these three issues is on page three of this Christchurch City Scene
supplement. Before there can be an amalgamation, the Local Government Commission must have
a hearing on all the submissions it receives and then release a final scheme showing how a
new Council would be structured. Your comments will help the City Council put together its
submission. There would then be a poll of residents in both areas. This will be held later
in 1999 or early 2000. For amalgamation to proceed 50 % of residents who vote at the poll
in the Banks Peninsula District area and 50 % of residents voting within Christchurch City
Council boundaries will need to vote "yes". If the poll later this year returns
a "yes" vote from both Council areas, full amalgamation will take place at the
time of the 2001 local authority elections. |
| Week commencing: |
|
| 12 April 1999 |
Christchurch City Council consults
residents. Christchurch City Scene sent to all households. Public issues workshops begin
(see page 4 for the nearest meeting to you). |
| 5 May 1999 |
Public opinion research conducted by
independent company. |
| 12 May 1999 |
Gathering the views of Christchurch
residents completed. Christchurch City Council assesses all submissions. Draft submission
to Local Government Commission written. |
| 27 May 1999 |
Christchurch City Council meets and
decides on submission to Local Government Commission. |
| 1-2 June 1999 |
Christchurch City Council and other
submitters meet with the Local Government Commission. |
| Mid 1999 |
Local Government Commission decides
whether to proceed with the proposal. |
| Late 1999/early 2000 |
Poll of residents in both Christchurch
City and Banks Peninsula. |
| October 2001 |
If amalgamation proceeds a new local
authority will be elected which will replace the current two Councils. |
| The
facts - a comparison of Banks Peninsula and Christchurch |
| |
Christchurch |
Banks Penisnsula |
Combined |
| Population (1996) |
309,028 |
7,581 |
316,609 |
| Land area (hectares) |
45,239 |
115,600 |
160,839 |
| Population density |
6.83 |
0.07 |
1.97 |
| Length of sealed highway (kms) |
1,490 |
340 |
1,830 |
| Length of metalled highway (kms) |
25 |
272 |
297 |
| Council operating expenditure |
$226,510,000 |
$9,581,000 |
$236,091,000 |
| Rates income (1998/99) |
$120,080,000 |
$5,511,000 |
$125,591,000 |
| Number of Councillors |
24 |
9 |
33 |
| Number of Community Boards |
6 |
2 |
8 |
 Why is amalgamation being proposed?
The Local Government Commission met and considered a petition from some Banks Peninsula
residents. The Commission concluded (19 February 1999) that amalgamation should be
considered because:
- Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City share a community of interest; and
- Banks Peninsula District residents would benefit from an increase in the level and
quality of local government services provided by a Council administering the combined
area.
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