Nelson City Council has welcomed the Local Government Commission’s decision to hold a poll to decide whether amalgamation between Nelson City and Tasman District Councils will go ahead.

A new local government structure for the Nelson and Tasman area, to be called the Nelson Tasman District, has been approved by the Commission.

The structure will be put to the electors of both districts for approval in separate polls in April.

Council CEO Keith Marshall says the polls now mean the choice goes to the people, which is entirely appropriate.

“This is a major decision for our region and will shape its future. It’s now up to the people of Nelson City and Tasman District to have their say.”

The postal polls will be held in April and the decision whether to go ahead will rest on whether more than 50 per cent of respondents in each council area vote for or against amalgamation.    

Voting documents will be mailed to electors of Nelson City and Tasman District between Thursday March 29 and Wednesday April 4.

Completed voting documents must be received by the electoral officer before noon, Saturday, April 21. If a majority of electors in both polls vote in favour of a union, the reorganisation scheme will be implemented by an Order in Council.

A transition committee, comprising representatives of Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council plus an independent chairperson, will then meet to put in place the necessary steps for the new council to come into existence on November 1 this year.

This will follow elections for the new council and community boards in October . The transition committee will recommend appointment of a transition manager to manage the process.