Time to talk about a united Hutt

BY NICHOLAS BOYACK - HUTT NEWS

Hutt Mayor David Ogden has reignited debate on an amalgamated Hutt Valley by suggesting Hutt and Upper Hutt talk now, lest a more unpalatable arrangement be forced on the two cities.

It was a discussion on global warming that fired him up on the controversial topic.

Hutt City Council's strategy and policy committee was discussing a report drawn up by the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) , dealing with the region's response to climate change, including an environmental sustainability strategy.

City councillors reacted with anger to the report and accused GWRC of arrogance and attempting to justify its own existence.

Mr Ogden said it was typical of the way the regional council behaves.

He said it is clear there is going to be change in the way local government is organised in the region and GWRC is searching for a role to play.

A new environmental organisation is likely to be set up and that will take away much of GWRC's current responsibilities.

The time has come to be proactive and talk to GWRC about improving the relationship and Upper Hutt should also be part of those discussions, Mr Ogden said.

That would also create an opportunity to discuss amalgamation.

Asked the next day to clarify his comments, Mr Ogden said he was talking about a united council with Upper

Hutt, but with both councils keeping their mayors. Mr Ogden said he doesn't want to see what has happened in

Auckland, where a super city is being created despite widespread objections.

However, It is clear there is a move in Wellington towards amalgamation, he said.

"I hear varying views. A lot of people are trying to push amalgamation: the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, (former Wellington mayor) Mark Blumsky, (Wellington Mayor) Kerry Prendergast, and even (former Hutt City mayor) John Terris have been involved and it does have some merit."

Mr Odgen has not raised the issue with Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy but believes the climate is right for a debate.

"I am not afraid of debating this. The most important thing is getting the right decision."

Go talk to Wellington

Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy reckons that if Mayor David Odgen wants to amalgamate councils, he should go and have a chat with Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast.

Mr Guppy says the Upper and Lower Hutt councils are already working very closely.

He is in contact with Mr Ogden most weeks and doubts there are two cities in New Zealand that have a closer working relationship.

Amalgamation should be driven by local residents and not by Wellington-based politicians, he says.

With any amalgamation there should be a clear objective and with the two cities already working so closely, he questions what there is to be gained.

Mr Guppy says he hears the same Wellington drums beating for mergers that Mr Ogden does and believes those people are being driven by over active egos. They should leave the Hutt Valley alone.

"If politicians push for it, it is good for their egos." He does not accept the argument that amalgamation is inevitable in the current climate and wants any final decision left to residents, not politicians.