From the mayor

Things have been busy at Council, with the Long Term Plan (LTP) now underway and a full re-examination of priorities and initiatives for our region, including in response to the disruptions of COVID-19. Being undertaken in parallel with our Spatial Plan, the LTP will give direction for the next 10 years.  

Water is a hot topic, and we just signed a MOU with the Government to enter into negotiations regarding the future of waste and drinking water. This released an additional $2.8 million spend for our water infrastructure over the next 12 months, and we will advise on how this will be spent soon. I’m still hoping for a decision on Government funding of water tanks – if this doesn’t happen, we will look to a bulk order to pass on savings, with financing over three years.

Pain Farm repairs and refurbishments are complete, and you will see an invitation to a public open day elsewhere in The Star – I realised many people have not had the opportunity to visit this fantastic property.

You may have seen our announcement of a suspected discharge from our wastewater plant in Martinborough – even though it was only a possibility, in the interests of transparency and openness we chose to inform the public immediately. Further spending is underway to address this weakness in the system.

The Mayoral Taskforce for Jobs has been funded by the Ministry of Social Development for another 12 months, working with youth towards helping them find sustainable employment through training and work readiness. This is quite exciting, and we have engaged The Whanau Trust to coordinate the implementation. If you know a young person having difficulty finding work, please contact me or Councillor Plimmer direct.

Council grant funding applications has now closed and deliberations are underway, this year separate from the Annual Plan process. We have received approximately $447,000-worth of requests for the approximately $170,000 funds available, so there will be disappointments. I want to keep a local focus, however, on how these funds are allocated and with a fiscally responsible approach.  

Finally, I am still in Martinborough every Thursday morning 7.30-9.00am at the Council offices if you want to drop by, or by appointment, please email me at themayor@swdc.govt.nz

Kia Kaha Mayor Alex