Our Council: e-newsletter

At today's Council meeting, councillors approved the next stage of the Clutha District's representation review. Every six years councils are required to review their representation arrangements and our last review was in 2012. Informal preliminary consultation was carried out with the public last year and formal consultation will now run from 4 July to 3 August 2018.  No major changes are being proposed to the current representation arrangements.

The proposal out for consultation includes changing the name of the Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board and Lawrence-Tuapeka ward to Tuapeka Community Board and Tuapeka Ward.

The proposal is also to retain 14 councillors plus the mayor, and the district would remain divided into the following eight wards:

• Balclutha Ward (four councillors) • Bruce Ward (three councillors) • Catlins Ward (one councillor) • Clinton Ward (one councillor) • Clutha Valley Ward (one councillor) • Kaitangata-Matau Ward (one councillor) • Tuapeka Ward (one councillor) • West Otago Ward (two councillors).

The reason the total number of councillors is proposed to remain at 14 is to provide effective representation to residents and ratepayers spread across our large district.

We're also proposing the two current community boards remain, the West Otago Community Board with six members plus the two ward councillors and the Tuapeka Community Board with six members plus the one ward councillor.

We are proposing some minor ward boundary changes to better reflect fairer representation and communities of interest. The following would be affected by these proposed changes:

• Kaka Point would move from the Balclutha Ward to the Catlins Ward • Pukekoma and Hillend would move from the Bruce Ward to the Clutha Valley Ward • Round Hill and Manuka Creek would move from the Bruce Ward to the Tuapeka Ward.

Keep an eye on Council's website for the consultation information.               

Council adopted the Clutha District Enforcement Strategy and Prosecution Policy at the meeting.  This strategy contributes to Council's outcomes of a "safe and supportive community" and "a sustainable environment". Council had already signalled its intention to increase the level of service for enforcement in the building and regulatory area, and during the Long Term Plan process an enforcement strategy was identified as a desirable tool to assist with implementing this.  Without such a strategy, the enforcement approach would be ad hoc and inconsistent. It also aligns with our customer service values.

Councillors agreed to taking out cyber insurance for the first time, as part of the organisation's annual insurance renewal. The National Cyber Security Centre's engagement manager is quoted as saying "the cyber threat environment is rapidly evolving, and New Zealand organisations, both public and private, are increasingly challenged by a growing range of threats". Based on the increasing risk, Council has selected cover for $2million at a cost of about $10,000.   

Council agreed to initiate the required consultation process to the "part road stopping" of Armagh Street in Waipahi, following a request from a property owner. Council has confirmed this section of legal road reserve is superfluous to requirements from a council roading and utilities perspective.

Clutha District Council formally adopted its 2018-2028 Long Term Plan on 20 June at a Council meeting, rates were also officially struck that day.  The district's overall rate increase for the 2018/19 year was finalised at 1.69%.  You can read the final Long Term Plan which is now available on the plans page of our website.

Contract 765 - Stirling, Balclutha, Puerua and Whitelea Road water treatment plant switchboard upgrades. This tender was awarded to Otago Power and Refrigeration for $817,000, which was accepted as being the lowest overall risk to Council and came in below our $880,000 estimate for the work. The work on the  Whitelea Road plant will not proceed until a final determination on the new treatment plant is made.

Lastly, a reminder for dog owners in the Clutha District that you can now register and pay for your dogs online! This will save you paperwork and keep your dog’s details up to date. Dog registrations need to be paid during July and your notice will include instructions for paying online. Council encourages you to give it a go - just check out the online services page of our website. If you have any issues give us ring on 0800 801 350 during business hours.