From the Mayor

I would like to thank everyone who attended the Martinborough ANZAC Day commemoration; it was a wonderful to see so many people taking the time to remember those who fought for New Zealand during WW1 and WW2. Thank you to the RSA for organising the ceremony, Rev Sam Bate for officiating at the service and to the Martinborough Fire Brigade for the refreshments which were very much appreciated by all. I believe the Lake Ferry ceremony was also well patronised.

South Wairarapa has been getting very positive media over the last few weeks. There have been newspaper articles, magazine articles the April edition of Air NZ KiaOra Magazine and the April May edition of NZ Today. The NZ Today features an article on Cape Palliser. The “7 Sharp” piece on how Featherston was bucking the trend of some small towns in New Zealand that are dying was very positive for our district. Every weekend there appears to be more visitors and more events for our visitors to attend. It is heartening to see so many people out and about in the South Wairarapa. I have hosted a number of visitors from outside the district and from Australia over the last few weeks. Everyone has been very impressed with our cafes, restaurants and shops, the food, and service have been highly praised.
The Wellington Regional Strategy Committee recently received a 2016 economic update from BERL, this showed that South Wairarapa has had growth in house values, skills, employment, productivity, exports, GDP per capita, GDP, and population. Our percentage growth in exports is in the region of 27% and our tourism GDP growth in the region of 28%. Tourism employment growth is in the region of 12%. These are very positive indicators for our local economy.
Annual Plan
The SWDC Annual Plan is currently out for consultation you will receive the Discussion Document in the Mid Week. Submissions to the Annual Plan close at 4pm Friday 12 May, submissions can be emailed, posted or filled in online http://www.swdc.govt.nz/council-projects-and-open-consultations.
Council is particularly seeking feedback on Swimming Pools – free admission to our pools, the cost would be between $45,000 to $60,000. Roading – improving footpaths and crossings by deferring $150,000 of roading rehabilitation work and transferring to footpaths and crossings instead.. Animal Control – The SWDC Pound in Featherston is no longer fit for purpose council is investigating what is the best option for a new pound. This could be in conjunction with Carterton and Masterton Councils. Wastewater – continuing to defer the cyclical wastewater underground pipe asset replacement programme so SWDC can accelerate the irrigation to land programme instead.
Council is also seeking submission on the Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. The document is able to be viewed on the SWDC website or in the libraries.
I encourage you all to make submissions to both of these important plans.
I am now writing a column in all our local papers, the Featherston Phoenix, The Greytown Grapevine, the Martinborough Star as well as the Wairarapa Times Age and the quarterly rates newsletter. Councillors also write their comments in each edition. I am now going to share a monthly roster with the councillors instead of myself writing every month in all of these publications each month.