Council seeks community's feedback on the Buller District’s representation arrangement
Buller District Council invites the local community to provide their views on the number of Councillors representing the district and how they are elected in the local government elections next year and in 2028.
Major Jamie Cleine explains: “Council’s representation structure defines the number of councillors to be elected, the basis for election of those councillors, the boundaries and names of the wards they represent and whether community boards are to be established and, if so, membership arrangements for those boards.”
All local councils must conduct a representation review under the Local Electoral Act 2001 at least every six years. This ensures the community is fairly and effectively represented in the local government elections.
Buller District Council last reviewed its representation arrangements in 2019. Therefore, Council is required to undertake a review before the next triennial elections in October 2025.
Mr Cleine says: “Councillors considered the options for representation arrangements in workshops in 2023. Key factors discussed were whether the current arrangements recognised the district’s communities of interest, provided for an effective representation, and fairly represented the electors of the district.”
Based on these discussions, Councillors formally decided yesterday that the status quo still provided fair representation for Buller’s residents and, therefore, will be adopted as the Initial Proposal for public consultation starting on 5 August 2024.
The Initial Proposal (status quo) proposes that:
- Council will comprise ten (10) members elected from three (3) wards and the Mayor elected at large.
- The district will be divided into three (3) wards: the Seddon Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; the Inangahua Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; and the Westport Ward, represented by six (6) Councillors.
- There will be an Inangahua Community Board, comprising the area of Inangahua Ward.
- The Inangahua Community Board will comprise four elected members and two members appointed by the council representing Inangahua Ward.
People living in Buller can express their views on the Initial Proposal (keeping the status quo) during the submission period from Monday, 5 August, to Thursday, 5 September, 4:30 pm.
Mr Cleine says: “There are various ways to participate in this consultation and have your say. We are seeking your views on whether or not you support the initial proposal and any comments you have on it.”
Mayor Jamie Cleine emphasises: “Putting this proposal out to the community will give us a more detailed and deeper understanding of what the community thinks about it.
I encourage everyone to get involved so that when you cast your votes next year, the number of councillors and how the council is elected is a good fit our community.”
Residents can have their say by filling out an online feedback form or grabbing a paper copy from the council’s offices and libraries in Westport and Reefton or at the service and resource centres across the district between 5 August and 5 September 2024 at 4:30pm.
More information is available on Council’s website from Monday 5 August.
Notes to the reader:
Once the submission period has closed, Council will consider the submissions to the Initial Proposal and listen to people who wish to speak to their submissions during a hearing. Council will then adopt a Final Proposal, which will be made available for public objections and appeals in October 2024.
If no objections or appeals are received, the final proposal becomes the representation arrangement for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections.
If objections or appeals to the Final Proposal are received, then the Final Proposal and the objections or appeals are forwarded to the Local Government Commission for a final determination.
The Commission's decision and the final representation arrangement for Buller District Council will be notified by April 2025.
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz