The Local Government Commission is calling for alternative applications to one received from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, seeking the alteration of the boundary between Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City.

This follows the Commission's decision in November to 'assess” that application.

The application is for an area of approximately 189 ha situated at Tauriko West that is currently within the district to be included within the city.

A copy of that application and additional information about the process and how to make an alternative application is available at the Commission's website.

'The call for alternative applications is the next step in the process for dealing with such applications that is set out in the Local Government Act,” says a spokesperson for the Local Government Commission.

'It provides the opportunity for members of the public who may have other ideas about local government in the affected area to put these forward for consideration.”

Anyone can submit an alternative application.

An alternative application must include a description of the type of local government change or changes proposed, a map or description of the affected area, what the changes are seeking to achieve, and what improvements would result from these changes.

Alternative applications and other proposals must be received at the Local Government Commission by 18 April 2019.

They should be emailed to info@lgc.govt.nz or posted to: Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Commission, PO Box 5362, Wellington 6140.

The Commission will consider all responses in identifying the 'reasonably practicable options” for local government arrangements for the affected area. If the Commission decides there is more than one reasonably practicable option, it must then identify its 'preferred option”.

If the preferred option is not the status quo, the Commission will then prepare a draft reorganisation proposal and call for submissions from the public.