Bay of Plenty residents who took part in a recent regional survey on local government reform have made it clear that protecting the environment and maintaining joined-up regional services are key priorities for any future changes. Bay of Plenty Regional Council undertook a survey to better understand community views on topics that may not have been canvassed by the city or district councils, relating to the Government’s proposed local government reform programme. “The message we heard was that people value regional services that work together across council boundaries and deliver benefits for the wider community,” Chair McDonald said. The survey explored priority outcomes, funding approaches and potential governance considerations relating to local government reform. A summary of the interim survey findings is available on the Regional Council’s website at www.boprc.govt.nz/simplifying-local-governmentContent Sourced from scoop.co.nzOriginal url