[xtypo_dropcap]T[/xtypo_dropcap]he Auckland Transition Agency's proposal to construct a new building for the future local board in a Warkworth reserve contradicts the advantages that have been touted for the new Auckland Super City.
The agency, which is responsible for combining all local councils across the Auckland Region into a single, governing body, wants the Rodney District Council to spend $400,000 in the construction of a building for local board members.
"When I saw the plans I thought, 'This is ugly' and I hit the roof," she told the NZ Herald.
"It's ludicrous to suddenly propose this and to ask council officers to sign off planning consents without any public consultation."
Orewa has held the offices of the Rodney District Council for 20 years, but in choosing Warkworth, the agency showed it was out of touch with the region, said the mayor.
The Warkworth riverbank site has already been chosen for a new community centre and residents have begun raising funds.
"Now, they've come back and said they want to put up a relocatable behind the service centre, on the staff parking area,” the mayor said.
Council says with a building already in Orewa, it is money wasted. Board members from the Helenville-Kumeu region would have to travel huge distances for meetings, while Orewa was more central.
“The whole idea of the restructure [of Auckland] is about saving money … to spend $400,000 to put up a new building in Warkworth … seems somewhat ironic,” said Mr Anderson, Rodney District Council communications manager.
According to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide, the formation of the Super City would bring improved services, greater efficiency and savings and allow for community involvement in decisions over local issues.
