Community priorities for local government reform clear: protect the environment and keep regional services connected

Bay of Plenty residents who took part in a recent regional survey on local government reform have made it clear that protecting the environment and maintaining joined-up regional services are key priorities for any future changes.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council undertook a survey to better understand community views on topics that may not have been canvassed by the city or district councils, relating to the Government’s proposed local government reform programme.

Chair Matemoana McDonald said the survey results show strong support for outcomes that deliver benefits across the wider Bay of Plenty region.

"Our communities have told us that protecting and improving the environment must remain the top priority, regardless of what changes may occur to local government structures," Chair McDonald said.

"People also want services delivered at the most effective level and expect good value for money. These findings highlight the importance of ensuring any future reform continues to support strong environmental outcomes and efficient service delivery."

Survey respondents ranked Protecting and improving the environment as their highest priority outcome from any local government change, followed by Delivering services at the most effective level, with Value for money ranked third.

Participants were also asked about potential funding implications of reform, including situations where structural changes could result in some communities paying more for services they rely on.

More than half of respondents said councils should prioritise keeping regional services joined up to benefit the whole region. This was followed by keeping costs low for each area and then sharing costs across the region.

"The message we heard was that people value regional services that work together across council boundaries and deliver benefits for the wider community," Chair McDonald said.

"While regional councils are not able to submit head-start proposals under the current reform process, these insights provide valuable information about how people view regional functions and services, and the role they play across the Bay of Plenty. We will continue to support territorial authorities with their understanding of regional functions as this reform progresses."

A total of 267 people participated in the survey, sharing their views online and at community events between 29 June and 12 July. The survey explored priority outcomes, funding approaches and potential governance considerations relating to local government reform.

A summary of the interim survey findings is available on the Regional Council's website at www.boprc.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government 

ENDS

For further media information, please contact media@boprc.govt.nz