Reform costs mounting for North Canterbury councils

The two councils behind a proposal for a new North Canterbury unitary authority faced contrasting bills, with one council spending more than 23 times as much as the other.

The Waimakariri District Council poured nearly $129,000 into producing a Head Start proposal as part of the Government's Simplifying Local Government reforms, while partner Hurunui District Council spent just $5500.

In contrast, the Marlborough District Council spent $4600 (excluding GST) on legal advice and promoting a community survey as it prepared a joint proposal with the Kaikōura District Council, while Kaikōura completed the work within existing staff budgets.

Waimakariri spent $128,974.15 (excluding GST) between May 5 and August 9 this year, which is thought to be highest of Canterbury's councils.

The council engaged Ernst & Young to provide specialist advice in developing the North Canterbury Council Head Start Outline Proposal, a council spokesperson said.

The figure did not include work undertaken by council staff and elected members, which was covered within existing budgets.

A Hurunui District Council spokesperson said the only external costs incurred by the council was $5500 spent on advertising, and printing and delivery of questionnaires as part of the Head Start community engagement.

In contrast, the Selwyn District Council spent $116,000 and Christchurch City Council spent $44,390 on stand-alone proposals.

Timaru District Council spent $106,688 on a joint proposal with Mackenzie, Waitaki and Waimate, while Ashburton District Council spent $34,045, but did not submit a proposal.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts said participation in the Head Start process was voluntary.

''Central Government did not dictate what was an appropriate level to spend – this was up to councils to determine,'' he said.

''The Government has not made decisions on funding for the wider reorganisation process that will follow head start.''

The new unitary authorities will provide "cost savings from greater economies of scale and reduced duplication", Mr Watts said.

Waimakariri District Council staff were unable to provide a figure on how much money the council had spent so far on responding to the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms or participating in the Fast-track approvals process.

The council has opposed housing developments in Ōhoka and Pegasus, which have been subject to Fast-track applications.

Carter Group has lodged a substantive application for consideration under the Fast-track approvals process for its proposed 870-home development at Ōhoka.

An expert panel was appointed last month to consider the application.

Last month, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop declined to refer an application from Wolfbrook Property Group to turn the Pegasus Golf Course into housing to the Fast-track approvals process.

Canterbury's councils have begun preliminary work on a Waitaha Canterbury Regional Spatial Plan, which is required as part of the pending RMA replacement legislation.

The process is estimated to cost up to $10m, with the bill to be shared between the Canterbury councils.

Waimakariri's share is estimated at up to $1.07m, while Hurunui's share could be up to $520,000.