Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said he expected the commissioners running the Tauranga council to consult the community on any significant decisions. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The minister for local government has responded to calls for Tauranga's 10 year plan to be delayed until elected officials are in office.
The Long Term Plan caused division amongst city leaders when former mayor Greg Brownless called for it to be put on hold until the commission term was over.
ACT Party MP Cameron Luxton came out in support of Brownless. "I'm asking the new minister for local government to take steps to delay the Long-Term Plan," Luxton said.
Commissioners were appointed to overlook the council by the previous government in 2021 because of significant governance problems among the councillors.
Some local business leaders took jabs at Brownless and Luxton and said further delays to address the city's infrastructure would be "catastrophic".
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said he wanted to see "local democracy restored for the people of Tauranga".
However, he said the commissioners were under an obligation to deliver the 2024-34 plan for the city.
"The terms of reference given to them provide the commission with the same decision-making powers and consultation obligations as an elected council," Brown said.
"I expect to see the wider community consulted on any significant decisions, just as would happen under an elected council."
Brownless was concerned the plans would bind council and ratepayers to contracts for a decade.
Brown acknowledged the plans would, "require long-term contractual arrangements," but said, "no council has the ability to bind the next council to any particular direction or actions".
The commission term is scheduled to end in July when the city undergoes its local election for city councillors and mayor.