Council supports reorganisation of Bank Peninsula District

7 April 2005

Christchurch City Council today showed support for a Local Government Commission recommended option, to abolish the Banks Peninsula District and have it incorporated into Christchurch City.

The reorganisation, one of three options presented by the Commission in its report, would see the area of the existing Banks Peninsula District, less the area of Lake Ellesmere currently within the district, become the Banks Peninsula Ward of Christchurch City. The Ward would also have one elected member to Council.

Council General Manager of Regulation and Democracy, Peter Mitchell, says Council was almost entirely supportive of the option.

“The one area which may raise some contention is the Community Board issue. The Council believes the district only requires one Community Board, while the Commission recommends two.”

“It is the Council’s view that it would provide discretionary funding of $20,000 per annum for the one Peninsula Community Board.”

Ultimately, the decision on whether one or two Community Boards will exist if the reorganisation goes ahead, rests with the Commission and not the Christchurch City Council.

Under the option, the three service centres in Lyttelton, Akaroa and Little River, would remain for five years.

Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore says the decision bodes well for the political future of the region.

“There has not been any significant restructuring for local government since 1989. This, I hope, will herald a new era in local government; it should not stop with Banks Peninsula.”

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