Calder Cam: Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Calder Cam: Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:660;Page:15547] 
Dr CAM CALDER (National) 
: 
 I thank the Minister in the chair Rodney Hide for what he pointed out because I think the previous Opposition contribution showcased the problem we face in this debate: there is a lot of extremism there is a lot of alarmism there is scaremongering and a lot of it boils down to the presentation of positions on behalf of other bodies which are fundamentally wrong. As another example which I think the Minister briefly touched on may I please read what the Wellington City Council said? One of the pleasures of being on the Local Government and Environment Committee was receiving the high quality of feedback from local government and from members of the public on this bill. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: What did they say? 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: They said a number of things and we listened very closely. I have to acknowledge at this stage the inclusive chairmanship of chairman Auchinvole and the contribution of people from all sides of the House—all sides of the House—which may not be apparent in this debate when we hear some of the comments being made. 
As well as being on the select committee I had the pleasure of visiting a number of local and regional councils in the south in the last couple of weeks. It has to be said that there were few if any concerns about this legislation—few if any concerns. Let me address the previous query as to whether we could possibly mention any councils that support the core services provision. Yes we can. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: Can we do that? 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: Yes we can. New section 11A inserted by clause 5 introduces a list of core services and the requirement that local authorities have particular regard to the contribution of those services to communities. 
It has to be said that many communities expressed some concerns about this. They said they were small rural communities and they would obviously have things that they wanted to do that were different from large urban communities. We understand that. The select committee took that on board and the Minister has alluded to the fact that we understand that. The list of core services does not prevent a local authority from carrying out anything that it sees necessary in its community. As we know there are numerous clauses in this bill that require consultation with the community by the council and for the community to be able to make its views heard despite what we have heard from Opposition members. I will very briefly speak further to this and answer the member Chris Hipkins’ earlier interjection to name a council. I would like to name Wellington City Council in addition to Rangitikei District Council which I believe the Minister mentioned. The council wrote: “In our view the clause is intended to ensure that councils have duly considered how the listed services contribute to the well-being of their communities. Wellington City Council considers it will be able to demonstrate that the council has had particular regard to the contribution that specified core services have made to our community. Wellington City Council supports this clause in its current form.” Thank you.