Councillor comments

As this is the first opportunity to write since the elections, I would like to thank those that supported me in seeking another term on council. We have six new councillors on board this term and a new mayor. There has been a very short settling in period and we have all had to hit the ground running. We are very fortunate to have new councillors that are able to bring themselves up to speed in such a short time.

Council is about to start the first stage of irrigating treated waste water to land in Martinborough, possibly by the end of April. This is the beginning of a new era when the sole purpose is to get the majority of South Wairarapa District treated waste water out of the rivers.

It is timely that we are about to start this when the government has just announced its fresh water policy. We can all take pride in ourselves on this project. I say this because you as ratepayers and residents have been one of the driving forces behind it. SWDC is one of the very few inland councils in New Zealand to have developed this policy and started building the infrastructure to allow it to happen. We can only hope that many more councils will follow our lead.

I am sure most of you have read or heard about the proposal the local Government Commission has made concerning the reorganisation of all the Wairarapa. If you feel strongly about this please take the time to read it. Contrary to what is being said this is not a done deal and the commission wants your feedback.

This is the opportunity for everyone to make a submission whether you agree or not. Submissions can be made to Local Government Commission by the 3rd of May by downloading a form at www.lgc.govt.nz. Otherwise fill out the form that was in the midweek news papers. There will most likely be a poll called for form which the final decision will be made.

Councillors and officers are busy preparing the annual plan for the 2017/ 2018 year with dates set for public meetings on the draft plan. Featherston the 1st of May, Martinborough the 2nd and Greytown the 3rd. Once again this is your chance to make a submission on this draft plan.
As councillors we take every submission seriously. Reading the submissions helps us to get a better understanding on what you believe is important for the district. Every councillor reads all submissions and discusses every one during workshop meetings with each other and council officers. Finally if you have any concerns or queries don’t hesitate to give ether Pam, Pip or myself a call.
Brian Jephson