Merger proposal approved

Marlborough District Council took a big step toward a merger with Kaikōura by approving a joint proposal for amalgamation.

Marlborough councillors decided unanimously during their Thursday morning meeting to authorise filing of a framework which passed in Kaikōura's council a day earlier. That vote was 7-1. Marlborough's vote was 13-0 with one absence.

"It's an exciting step forward [which is] good for two communities," Mayor Nadine Taylor summarised, expressing how a merger as presented in broad terms "did make sense, and this council has seen it."

Central Government's deadline for proposals falls on Sunday. Due to recovery demands stemming from last month's red-warning rainstorm, Kaikōura and Marlborough received an extension through 28 August, though the councils intend to file a document this weekend.

Should the amalgamation of these districts find favour at the ministry level, Kaikōura and Marlborough have until March to complete a detailed proposal. Councillors heard that a draft for consultation should come before the Christmas break, providing what Strategic Delivery manager Phillip Eyles called "lead-in time" to the formal public input process in February.

During discussion over 80 minutes on Thursdays, councillors identified matters to clarify – notably debt, long-term representation, specifics on Kaikōura's services and costs of amalgamation.

"This decision does not bind us," the mayor noted. "We have gates to go through."

Check the 12 August issue of Marlborough Weekly for further coverage.