As reported in the last Focus, local government reform is
underway like a bullet train!
Options are widely publicised in local papers and websites,
half ways of April submissions are due and from there a proposal for reform
will be formulated.
We can all submit on that and then....a final proposal will
come forward which, if demanded by 10% of people may become the final proposal
where we can all vote for or against...
And if that is not enough you can also look forward to local
body elections in October, however, before that you can also submit on next
year’s Annual Plan!
The draft Annual Plan was adopted in March by Council, you
have until the 26th April to put in a submission on this plan, hearings
will be in May and adoption of the Plan end of June.
There is a “highlights” document which is a very readable 8
pager which sets out recent events, changes from the “Long Term Plan”, the key
projects, capital program and proposed amendments.
You may see this in the next “Report” or pick up a copy from
WDC
Having been around the Council table for just 2.5 years I do
think this is a responsible plan which focuses on debt control, infrastructure
and managed growth, balancing all the needs and wishes of the various sectors
in our community!
I’ve also learned that the volume of paperwork we read
through per annum has a metric volume equivalent, ie for every year another
stack of 1 m high paperwork for our entertainment!
It is about time we get some I Pad’s organised as this will
save lots of trees and $$!...however, councils are like big ships, they move
slow and it takes time to correct their course, in particular with numerous
people at the helm, all wanting to go in their direction...
On a local note it was great to see the upgrade of the “War
memorial” in Ngunguru, Ken Friend and his team did us all proud and this
month’s ANZAC day will be even more special for it.
Whilst this summer has been much better than the last one,
the easterlies have still been blowing out of proportion battering our coast
with most of the Highs hanging around Wellington...not surprising with all the
hot air in that place!
Regardless of that, the car and boat trailer parking in
Tutukaka is still an issue, a good summer would see the whole” public green”
constantly converted into a car park, something we still intend to
address...maybe something for a submission to the Annual Plan, as would be the
safety issue around access to the Mermaid Pools and associated dangers..
There will no doubt be many more issues, always good to put
them on the table, this “Annual Plan” is once again an opportunity to voice
your concerns and support for matters that are important for you!
Thanks to ANZAC’s and others we have this opportunity, don’t
take it for granted!
No comments:
Post a Comment