Super-city proposal ‘should be dropped’

Wellington’s super-city proposal is ‘‘deeply flawed’’ and should be dropped, according to two-thirds of the region’s councils.

Hutt City Council harshly criticised the Local Government Commission’s amalgamation model in a joint submission lodged with Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa district councils. Wellington City Council and Upper Hutt City Council supported the concerns raised in the submission.

Amalgamation was a risky option not guaranteed to save the region money, Lower Hutt mayor Ray Wallace said.

‘‘The commission wants us to spend at least $210 million to maybe save $58m in 10 years’ time. Our analysis is that it could actually end up losing money.’’

Super-city savings would only be made after 14 years, Hutt City Council calculated, and if super-council salaries increased as they had in Auckland, the region would end up losing money.

Wellington’s economy was said by the commission to be failing when viewed nationally, but Wallace said the BERL report quoted went on to say the difference was marginal.

‘‘The commission has made no case for change, and it’s wasting our time with a ‘think big’ grandiose idea.’’

The Wairarapa councils should be allowed to unite independent of greater Wellington, the submission said. That option was rejected in the commission’s proposal.

Porirua City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council supported the commission’s amalgamation proposal, while Kapiti Coast District Council has remained neutral on the issue in the past.

Submissions to the Local Government Commission closed on Monday, and 8700 had been collected by yesterday afternoon. Hearings will be organised in coming weeks.

The commission declined to comment on any submissions.