Amalgamation – Status Quo or a Combined Wairarapa Council???

As everyone will be aware the Local Government Commission received a petition asking for a poll on the proposed amalgamation. Local Government Commission has advised that a postal vote will be held with the closing date of the 12th December 2017.
It is very important that every eligible person votes, as this will determine whether we have a Combined Wairarapa Council or continue with the status quo. I know that this debate has seemed to go on forever but this is the deciding factor – if you don’t vote, then it is very hard to grumble about not getting what you want.
So please, when the papers arrive – vote and have your say.
If more than 50% of the returned voting papers oppose the proposal then it will not go ahead, if more than 50% support the proposal then it will go ahead and the Local Government Commission will start the process to set up the new Wairarapa Council.
IT IS YOUR CHOICE

Long Term Plan
This leads me on to Council’s Long Term Plan, which covers the period 2018 to 2028.
This document is the direction for South Wairarapa over the next 10 years and will be in place whether we have amalgamation or not. Every one of us has a vision of what we would like to have/see/or be able to achieve in our 3 towns and rural areas individually or in the district as a whole.
In the last few pages of the current plan is a section titled “Our Future” which details current and potential projects. Have a look at these – you might like to support these or add a few of your own ideas. Either way, please let us know what you would like Council to focus on over the next 10 years. Talk to a Councillor, write to Council or email your ideas to enquiries@swdc.govt.nz
PLEASE HAVE YOUR SAY.

Beautiful Small Town Award
Congratulations to Leigh Hay and the Greytown Community on their winning of the NZ’s most Beautiful Small Town Award. The Award is run by Keep New Zealand Beautiful Charitable Trust and held each year. The win is a celebration of a number of people and groups within Greytown who have worked over the last 12 months to make improvements within the town. Leigh put all this together and the result was this huge win. The win rubs off on us all – we all have pride in our towns and when one town wins an award we all smile, take note and bask in the glow – the challenge is, is our town beautiful enough to enter for next year.
Pam Colenso
0274414892 or pam.colenso@swdc.govt.nz