Gore District Council has backed both competing Southland local government reform proposals, writing to the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport ahead of the government's August 9 deadline.
The council confirmed support for both the two-unitary Greater Southland proposal developed by Southland District Council and the single-unitary One Southland proposal led by Invercargill City Council. The unusual position — endorsing rival bids simultaneously — follows changes both councils made to their proposals at Gore's request.
Gore's conditions were specific. Guaranteed minimum representation for Gore and Mataura. Retention of the district's roading funding arrangement. Ring-fencing of historic debt to the communities that hold it. A preference to remain in the Southern Waters model. And a right to withdraw from either proposal if future modelling showed a negative rating impact for Gore ratepayers. Both proposals now reflect those terms.
Mayor Ben Bell thanked residents for the feedback that shaped the council's position.
"The concerns people raised about paying for other Councils' assets, and a reduced rural voice have now been protected within both proposals, with both Councils willing to make changes for the Gore District," Bell said.
"We have listened to what people asked for in supporting the two-unitary proposal, while also protecting Gore from the concerns raised about the one-Southland option."
Councillor Nicky Coats was direct about what actually moved the needle.
"By debating and voting on the minimum conditions our ratepayers would need before supporting any Head Start document, we have shifted both proposals in our favour," Coats said. "If we hadn't, I believe Invercargill and Southland would have lodged their original drafts without any inclusion of our concerns."
Coats also credited the neighbouring councils for moving fast. "Both Councils moved quickly and in good faith and we're grateful for that. We now look forward to hearing from the Minister in the coming days."
Bell was equally pointed about where the council's leverage came from in the first place.
"None of this happens without the people who took the time to tell us what mattered to them," Bell said. "Their feedback is the reason Gore's interests are written into both proposals."
Council meets next on August 18.