Cameron Brewer

The future governance and role of Auckland's 41 town centre organisations looks a lot clearer, with the Auckland Transition Agency now giving very strong hints that local business associations will stay in Auckland's new governance structure," says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

"Auckland's business associations represent a huge chunk of the regional economy. We were really concerned that we were going to lose any direct relationship or access with the new Auckland Council and be farmed out to a CCO (Council Controlled Organisation) or a local board. However after meeting with ATA executive chairman Mark Ford, he assures me that business associations are likely to fall under the roof of the Auckland Council.

"It makes sense to keep the business associations in-house. After all, the targeted rate that funds them is tied to and proportional to base commercial rates which looks set to remain the responsibility of the Auckland Council."

"Mr Ford was apologetic that ATA may have been remiss in their communication on the future role of business associations. In subsequent correspondence to me he confirmed that ATA's 'thinking around BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) and town centre development in general is pretty well advanced'."

In a 17 March letter Mr Ford said 'there is huge potential in this area which could see Auckland at the forefront of BID development internationally... Of course the maintaining of current BIDs is just as important as developing new ones and, like you, we are mindful of the concerns around ensuring continuity of staffing/support for BIDs and the relationship with the proposed Economic Development CCO. The good news is that a number of councils have already included funding for BIDs in their LTCCPs (Long Term Council Community Plans),' said Mr Ford.

Cameron Brewer: "Many of Auckland's business associations were worried about losing their mandate, funding, and independence. However given ATA's assurances, things are now looking a lot brighter for local business representation in the new structure.

"With Auckland having to accommodate another 570,000 people in the next 21 years, the growth pressures will be enormous as we speed towards two million people. Positive town centre leadership and higher quality urban development throughout the region is critical.

"Effective business associations directly linked to Auckland Council will help inject some much needed 'local' into Auckland's new local government model.

"While ATA's nod to these 41 local organisations may be subtle to some, it's nonetheless a very positive community development in the building of the 'super city' structure," says Cameron Brewer, who is also a board member of Towns & Cities New Zealand.