Chief Executive’s column

Climate change is definitely among us, as the recent downpours and flooding have proved. 

So it’s very relevant that Councillors have been attending workshops with our Climate Change Advisor Melanie Barthe, who has devised a two-pronged strategy around mitigation (reducing our greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (adapting to the effects of climate change). 

The Ruamāhanga Strategy and action plan gives the Council ways to reduce its own corporate emissions and to help the community to do so too. We as a Council are only too aware of the climate-related risks we are facing and we must adapt by identifying all our risks and how best to mitigate them. 

We are also not alone; we are working collaboratively with other Councils in the region and the Regional Council. You’ll find more information on Council’s climate change work on our Climate Change Wairarapa webpage.

Recently I went to the annual gathering of Local Government NZ. It was not the easiest of conferences. Dominating the picture was the Three Waters reforms, plus many other reforms that are waiting in the wings. 

Three Waters is contentious, to say the least. The idea that Councils should have their water assets merged to gain greater efficiencies is one that has divided communities. Even those who agree we face huge water costs in future if we don’t work together may have concerns about the way control over those assets may be diluted. While ownership will still stay in Council hands, our district will have one share in a much bigger entity, if the reforms go ahead as planned. 

Our own councillors have put forward a submission and that is on our website (on our Three Waters page). It is worth a look.

As always, the best course of action as individuals is to stay informed on all those issues and initiatives that matter to you, and exercise your vote when the local body elections come around in September-October. 

Being a Councillor or community board member is not an easy job. It requires a lot of reading, time, the ability to communicate, and the ability to listen. It is also very satisfying seeing the positive difference one’s input and decision-making has on our communities. 

Having elected members as part of local government is a very important part of the democratic process and for those who are thinking of picking up the baton, and to those who are thinking of putting it down, we thank you.

Lastly, let me put in an ad for Sports NZ’s Rural Travel Fund grants and our Council community and youth grants. Applications to the Rural Travel Fund, which we administer, closes on August 12 and I know it helps many sports teams get to games and tournaments. Our community and youth grants, which close on August 19, are likewise very well received. The grants page on our website will tell you more.

Harry Wilson Chief Executive  South Wairarapa District Council