Aucklanders will pay significantly less for their water from July next year, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said today when he outlined ratepayer gains under the new Super City Council that will be elected in October.There would be a single tariff
Aucklanders will pay significantly less for their water from July next year, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said today when he outlined ratepayer gains under the new Super City Council that will be elected in October.
There would be a single tariff of $1.30 for 1000 litres compared with charges ranging from $1.52 to $2.33 that would have applied under the old regime, Mr Hide told the New Zealand Herald's business lunch.
"Then there are building inspections, currently charged at an hourly rate varying from $110 to $178. In future there will be a standard hourly charge of $110 across the region," he said.
"And the resource consent forms -- over 850 currently used by councils will be reduced to 120 simplified forms, wherever you are in the region the consent rules will be the same."
Mr Hide said Auckland would achieve world class status and become New Zealand's economic powerhouse under the new unitary authority.
"For nigh on 100 years Aucklanders have been complaining about an inadequate transport system and waterfront developments, amongst others," he said.
"In short, complaining about a dysfunctional city where feudal bickering has stymied progress."
The Government had boldly fixed that, and fragmented governance would be replaced by strategic planning.
Mr Hide said the new mayor of Auckland would be the second most powerful person in the country.
"When the mayor of the new city calls Wellington, the people who answer will know they are talking to someone who represents a full third of the people in New Zealand," he said.
Earlier today Mr Hide announced the heads of Auckland's six council-controlled organisations (CCOs) that will function under the new local government system.
Mark Ford, current chairman of the Auckland Transition Agency, will head the transport CCO and the Labour Party says he will have more power than the mayor despite holding an unelected position.
Auckland issues spokesman Phil Twyford said the appointments should have been made by the new council.
