From the Mayor

On 18th July the Local Government Commission released a final proposal for a new Wairarapa District Council. The proposal is in line with the draft proposal released in March.

The LGC states that they are “confident that combining the three existing small councils into one medium sized local authority will have many advantages for the Wairarapa in capturing opportunities now and meeting the challenges of the future.” The commissioners also commented that “the final proposal is in your hands.” They “encourage the community to exercise its right to ask for a Wairarapa-wide poll.”
I encourage you all to read the proposal which is available on the LGC website, the SWDC website and in libraries. Links to these websites are also on the SWDC Facebook page. I am sure a petition for a poll will be initiated; if this happens then it will be over to vote. Details of how to organise a petition are also on the LGC website.

As the Commission says it is now “in our hands”.

Thursday the 13th of July saw Martinborough and surrounding farmland bear the brunt of the storm that hit the country. There were large areas of land under water and water turned the Martinborough Square into a lake for a few hours. Martinborough was all but cut off as bridges and roads closed. The Community Board raised concerns regarding the town flooding and communications around road closures. Council staff have met for a debrief with information provided by the board members and people who contacted them and information the staff saw and documented on the day. A list of suggested action points has been drafted by the community board and staff that cover both the flooding and communication issues. Over the next few weeks a plan will be put together which will be reported back to the community board.

I attended the Wairarapa Rural Fire Service awards evening, members of the Tora, Ngawi and Lake Ferry Brigades were awarded with service medals including 9 individuals with more than 20 years’ service as a volunteer. 25 firefighters have served a grand total of 311 years in our three fire parties at Lake Ferry, Ngawi and Tora/Tuturmuri. This is a remarkable achievement and our communities are truly grateful.
Rural Fire is now part of the new Fire and Emergency New Zealand which brings together the Fire Service i.e. our town brigades and our Rural Fire Crews.

Thank you to all the volunteers for the work you do in our communities.

Viv Napier