''Rather than just resisting attempts at reform, the local government sector needs to acknowledge that the current model isn't sustainable,'' he said.
Mr Cull said that in 20 years' time many small councils around the country would not be able to operate they way they did at present because of shrinking populations and increased demand for infrastructure renewal.
Local government needed to confront the need for reform and pursue the objective of better, more meaningful community governance, he said.
The central government had a ''preoccupation'' with reducing costs and efficiencies.
Mr Cull acknowledged the service of retiring board members Jonathan Usher and John Moyle.
In Saddle Hill Community Board business:
•The board agreed to provide $1500 of funding to the ChatBus Trust, a mobile counselling service for children which visits primary schools in Dunedin.
•The board declined a request to fund individualised player uniforms for the Big Rock junior netball team.
•Agreed to support council funding of $1700 towards the provision of recycling bins at the Ocean View freedom camping site
•Agreed to provide funding of up to $250 for a rubbish skip to be used for a forthcoming community clean-up day at the Kaikorai estuary.
joshua.riddiford@thestar.co.nz
