3:19 PM |
Exposed! How new city bodies will control your life
1st April 2010
Have Your Say
Give us your thoughts on this story.
Auckland's controversial CCOs — the Council-Controlled Organisations
that will effectively run the region after the forced amalgamation of
eight local bodies in October — will have wide-ranging powers that
will reach deeply into the pockets of every one of the 1.4 million
residents from Wellsford to Pokeno.
In recent weeks, the NZ Herald and other media have focused attention
on the broad-brush roles of these organisations, whose members will be
appointed by Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Transport
Minister Steven Joyce.
They will be in power for at least three years, with Aucklanders
having no say in who runs their regional amenities including water,
buses, roads, stadiums, events, rubbish collection, libraries and so
on.
They can make their own rules, set their own prices, and do not have
to hold their meetings in public or explain their decisions. The
elected Mayor and Council cannot remove them.
Today, for the first time, thanks to material leaked to us and
inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act, The Aucklander can
reveal the true range of the CCOs' powers.
Their priorities have been set so that the Auckland Transition Agency
accountants can provide Wellington with some indication of revenue
opportunities under the new regime.
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We cannot reveal our sources, but we have verified our conclusions
with an independent auditor, Sizdah Bedar. He estimates these
measures, and even more, will be needed to keep rates bills near to
current levels.
He points out that these new rules and regulations will take effect at
noon on Saturday, October 9 — the minute the polls close on the first
election under the new council.
Homeowners, bus users, sports clubs and recreational fishers are just
some of the targets of the new revenue-generating bodies.
We can reveal:
Civic Amenities such as libraries and swimming pools have been ordered
to identify and action new opportunities to raise revenue. Both are
likely to section off most areas of their premises for clients willing
to pay premium fees.
Sports clubs playing on council-owned grounds will be required to
adopt the names of the new wards and local bodies, or pay market rents
for their pitches.
Some historic names will disappear from the Auckland sports scene —
Howick-Pakuranga hockey club will become "Te Irirangi Hockey Club" and
Ponsonby rugby club will be known as "Maungawhau-Hauraki RFC".
Eastern Suburbs soccer club will have to adopt the unwieldy monicker
of "Orakei-Maungakieie AFC" or lose any community grants for
encouraging young footballers.
Perhaps the most controversial recommendations cover newly privatised
cemeteries, under the Property Holdings wing. Our sources reveal that,
under OSH regulations, the numbers of mourners will be strictly
limited at graveside services.
Cemetery car parks will become pay-and-display areas, and gates
installed so customers - previously known as "family" or "friends" -
can be charged for visits during out-of-office hours, such as Saturday
and Sunday afternoons.
The new Transport agency will be able to fine people who smoke in bus
shelters. It can also fine people who get on buses without having the
right ticket or change ready.
Drivers with bus companies such as Metrolink, Howick & Eastern or
Birkenhead Transport will be empowered to refuse to carry passengers
with body odour or bad breath.
The Waterfront agency will be required to convert all harbourside
residential properties into licensed venues in time for the 2011 Rugby
World Cup, in order to extend the Prime Minister's pet project, "Party
Central", from St Mary's Bay to Mechanic's Bay. St Stephen's Ave in
Parnell, Mr Key's street, is specifically exempted.
All kerbing and and channelling in the CBD will be removed to allow
easier access for street sweeping between the all-night carnivals.
Watercare — considered the blueprint for the other CCOs — lists its
priority as "refining high-quality water from the Waitakere Ranges,
Lake Pupuke and Western Springs for export". It claims this will raise
revenue and subsidise Auckland's domestic supply. However, local
households will be fined for "water crimes" such as leaving the tap
running while people brush their teeth.
Under special legislation, timetabled to be produced in Parliament
before noon today, the Council Investment agency will be entitled to
print its own currency.
In addition, it will be registered as a real estate agency and
instructed to recruit the best agents in the country.
The Economic Development arm has shortlisted the marine industries as
a priority for the region.
To protect the kaimoana industry, recreational fishing will be
restricted to unmotorised craft within the council's harbours and bays
— which covers both coasts from Te Arai Point to the Firth of Thames,
and the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours.
Says Mr Bedar, "Some Aucklanders may be surprised at the extent of the
intrusions that the Government, and its agents, are claiming under the
guise of reforming local councils.
"It is also fair to point out that all the community spokespeople —
including media such as The Aucklander, the NZ Herald, and smaller
suburban newspapers — have voiced their concerns about the process of
reforming local government and removing everyday people's voices from
the equation.
"However, the Government continues to ride high in the polls. An
independent observer can only assume that Aucklanders don't care
what's going to happen, or they're happy to accept whatever John Key
and Rodney Hide and Steven Joyce say is good for them."
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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