It’s good enough for Wanganui

• Eddie
• 15 years ago
• Categories: auckland supercity, democracy under attack, democratic participation

Rodney Hide refuses to give Aucklanders their referendum on the supercity and one of the excuses he offers is the cost: “The difficulty with a referendum is it would cost a million dollars”

So what kind of things do councils find it worthwhile holding referenda on? Here’s what the people of Wanganui got to vote on in the past four years:

• Should Wanganui’s water supply be softened? (x2)
• Should Wanganui introduce a local bill that outlaws the wearing of gang insignia in public places?
• Should the Council establish a kerbside recycling service?
• Should Wanganui have its own Anniversary Day?
• Wanganui or Whanganui? (x2)
• Water fluoridation
• Representation – Number of councillors
• Abolition of urban and rural wards
• Local project ranking (x2)
• Visitor Information Centre
• Promotional levy
• Sale of Energy Direct
• Ownership of pensioner housing
• Rates increase

OK. I think a referendum on recycling services is over the top but if the people of Wanganui get a say on all these issues, what possible justification can there be for not giving Aucklanders their say on this massive transformation of their local government?