D-Day is looming for Waihi Beach break-away bid

Western Bay mayor Ross Paterson is hoping to hang on to Waihi Beach as a break-away bid for the ward approaches a crucial crossroads this month.
The Local Government Commission will announce on January 18 whether a community-driven proposal for Waihi Beach to ditch the Western Bay of Plenty District Council for Hauraki District Council should go ahead.
The bid was sparked by a residents' petition carrying 954 signatures presented to the council in December 2009. With 2600 people on the ward's electoral roll at the election previous to the petition, the number of signatures exceeded the 10 per cent backing which legally requires the councils to consider the proposal.
Among the reasons for the petition were a perceived lack of council benefits in proportion to rates paid and better opportunities for representation within Hauraki's smaller population.
Following hearings in September, the commission will now decide either to go ahead with the draft "reorganisation scheme" or reject the bid. The cost of creating a scheme the last time the ward looked at breaking away, in 1992, totalled $500,000.
Mr Paterson said the council had already spent an unbudgeted $70,000 on the latest process but it was not known how much more would need to be spent if the commission opted to push ahead.
In that event, the council faced more costs to help draw up the reorganisation scheme, which would include a public consultation process, and more costs if councillors chose to make another submission.
Mr Paterson wanted to see the district retain Waihi Beach, which he felt had a stronger link to the Western Bay than Hauraki.
It was not known what impact the loss of Waihi Beach would have on other Western Bay ratepayers, however figures as of last year showed that the district stood to lose 17 per cent - or $7.4 million - of rates income.
The ward would take with it to Hauraki a debt level of $29.6 million. Based on the revenue contribution from Waihi Beach, the council calculated the move would result in the loss of about 22 fulltime council jobs.
Petition spokesperson Brian Hepenstall had "no idea" which way he believed the decision would go. "We'll just take it how it comes. If they say no ... then we can't run another petition for three years. But I can tell you that another petition will be taking place in three years and one day - because it's logical."
The decision will be announced on January 18.