IF IT ain’t broke, don’t fix it said former Masterton mayor Frank Cody.
Mr Cody, who is now a private citizen, was one of about 40 people who attended the Local Government Commission meeting at Masterton’s town hall yesterday.
The meeting was held by the Commission’s chairman Basil Morrison to answer questions about the shape of the region’s authorities.
One of the first to speak was Mr Cody and he said people believe the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s performance is perfectly adequate.
“There is no use in fixing something that is not broken,” he said of some suggestions.
Gary Caffell, Masterton Urban Ward councillor, said he was speaking as a resident.
“I felt the unitary authority wasn’t giving the people enough information,” he said.
Mr Caffell said it is the will to retain the regional council “becoming stronger every day”..
A South Wairarapa woman said she is “certainly in favour of the retention of the regional council” which seemed to be a popular view.
Other Wairarapa residents felt they were not given enough information and requested all the submissions to be posted online.
A retired farmer from Masterton said the Wairarapa district was not given a chance to see the costs of both options.
After the meeting, attendee Don Simpson said he thought it was helpful.
“It’s important that there are systems in place and now we have a better understanding,” he said.
However, he said he was “still very concerned about the financial aspect”.
Another attendee, Don Adams, also found the meeting beneficial, especially hearing about the processes that must be gone through.
A second consultation meeting will be held at the date and time below:
Wed 20 November:
Martinborough Town Hall, 11.00am-12.30pm;
Carterton Events Centre, 7.00-8.30pm