At last a sensible comment from City Councillor Catherine Stewart calling for a meaningful debate on possible Local Government amalgamation following the recently cancelled debate with an entry cost of $120 each.

You just needed to look at who was on the debating panel, of the cancelled debate, to realise it seemed to be very much loaded in favour of future amalgamation and many of the people involved would potentially have benefitted from amalgamation happening. But I still believe with the limited information available the ratepayers would be the losers.

The Government has clearly stated they'd support Local Government amalgamation but they've also clearly stated local communities must support any such changes and in reality any future changes must be a win-win for all involved unlike what seems to have happened in Auckland.

Watch this space and please become informed or it will occur without our involvement.

M Baker, Bethlehem.