Councillor Comment

Happy New Year to you all, it is hard to believe that by the time you read this we will be into February and everyone’s life will be in full swing for 2021.

Although I am another year older life does not seem to be slowing down – and the work at Council keeps on coming.  We are well into the new Long Term Plan and Spatial Plan with workshops covering all the ground work before the draft consultation document comes to Council for approval and goes out for public consultation. 

We as Councillors think we are busy but the officers and staff working solidly behind the scenes have been busier still. The schedule of meetings I am involved with are Council on the 10^th Feb; Wellington Region Waste Forum 19^th, Finance, Audit and Risk on the 24^th and Martinborough Community Board on the 25^th.

The Manganese Reduction Plant, which is located at the end of New York Street West, is in the final stages of testing which will take approximately five weeks.  If during this time you experience any changes in water pressure or colour then please run a tap for a minute or so.  If this continues please contact Council on 306 9611.

It is great to see the new opening hours which have started for Martinborough Transfer Station, these are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm. Consistent times over the 3 days makes it so much easier to remember and gives us more time to finish that “round the home project” prior to heading down to the tip to get rid of our rubbish/unwanted items.

Finally, but certainly not least it is great to see that the Council has been successful in obtaining Central Government funding to finance seven new library positions.   This is funded through the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme.  The fixed term positions will be contracted until July 2022 and will cover digital literacy to local heritage and community engagement and are spread between Carterton, Featherston, Greytown and Martinborough.  

The libraries are one of the key services that Council provides and are great places for networking and opportunities to learn and enjoy both academically and socially.  It will be fantastic to see our services and information in the libraries grow as a result of this initiative.

Pam Colenso

pam.colenso@swdc.govt.nz 0274414892