The way local government reform can best be applied to the Bay of Plenty is the theme of the ‘Rethinking Local Government' conference at Baypark next month.

The conference, on February 1, is hosted by the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and CEO Max Mason is urging everyone to get involved.

Guest speakers at the local government conference include Rod Oram and Sir Bob Harvey.

'Local government affects everybody in the community and now is the time for people interested in the performance and future of Councils to get involved and have their say,” says Max.

'The recently passed bill on local government reform now provides clarification on what the community's options are, and will have an important influence on the October 2013 Council elections.”

The objective of the conference is to kick start the discussion on the future of councils in the Bay of Plenty and is a forum to present and discuss pressures, trends and opportunities for local government reform.

The conference is sponsored by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and speakers include internationally and nationally recognised authorities in local government, economics, demographics, infrastructure and iwi, and will be officially opened by Mayor of Tauranga, Stuart Crosby.

'The outcome we are looking for is that attendees be from a wide cross section of interested people from ratepayers to contractors, agencies who work closely with local government, business people and elected representatives.

'The reform of local government has the ability to transform our community and initiating a public discussion on how that could happen is overdue,” says Max.

Under the new Act, anyone will be able to apply for a local government reorganisation, so long as they can show there is community support; identify the rationale for change; and explain how the proposed option promotes good local government.

A petition signed by 10 per cent of affected electors in any affected district can demand a poll on a final reorganisation proposal. If a poll happens, the result will be determined across the whole area affected by the proposal.

An important part of the Local Government Commission's role and responsibilities role will be to decide which option best promotes good local government in a particular area.

This will involve considering whether available options achieve the purpose of local government and aid improved economic performance. The Commission's preferred option will then be turned into a draft proposal and issued for consultation with communities.

Speakers at the conference include Sir Bob Harvey, previous mayor of Waitakere City, who will cover the experience and lessons for the Bay of Plenty in light of the reform of local government in Auckland.

Rod Oram and Peter McKinley will identify the many pressures driving reform and the issues and options for strengthening local government in the Bay.

Professor Natalie Jackson of Waikato University will examine the critical role demographic changes are playing, and Stephen Selwood, CEO of the NZ Council for Infrastructure, addresses the significant infrastructure challenges the region faces.

Antoine Coffin, Chairman of Tauranga Moana Iwi Property Management Company, will present options and opportunities for local government and iwi partnerships, and Paul Tustin, partner at Cooney Lees Morgan will identify what the private sector needs from councils.

The conference will be chaired by Associate Professor Dr Bill Ryan from the School of Government at Victoria University, who will also provide a comparative overview of local government reform in other regions.

The cost for attendees is $30 with morning tea and lunch provided.

Full details on speakers and topics is available on the Chamber website – www.tauranga.org.nz. To book please contact Anne Pankhurst at the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce – anne@tauranga.org.nz or call 07 577-8955.