Our Council: e-newsletter 20 May 2020

Our Place Catlins took a positive step forward at the Council meeting last week, with Councillors agreeing to adopt the Our Place Catlins Community Plan. 

Following community consultation Councillors last year made some decisions about potential project groupings and areas to follow up. The adopted plan contains a range of projects under the umbrella areas of:
a. Our changing communities
b. Landscape and the environment
c. Parks and reserves
d. Roading
 e. Freedom Camping
 f. Planning for the effects of climate change 

Consultation showed the Catlins community wanted a strong focus on the environment, on active recreation and on community facilities. 

The mix of projects in the plan sees some that will be led by Council, others will be driven by Clutha Development, and others are opportunities for community involvement. 

The final plan will shortly be available on Council website under Publications > Plans > Community Plans

The new swimming pool complex for Milton is another project to come out of the Our Place Community Plan work. This also took a step forward at the meeting when Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the council and The Bruce Community Facilities Trust. 

In addition to the funds previously committed by Council, the project will require approximately $2.435M. The Trust has been formed from a group of willing members of the community who, as a group, will be able to co-ordinate the community effort, and to apply for the sponsorship or third-party support required to achieve extra funding. ...

Council was approached by an individual who was interested on purchasing a parcel of land in Lawrence, currently owned by Council. 

The land (technically known as Municipal Reserve Block XLVI Town of Lawrence) adjoins Parsonage Road. Before sale, the reserve status would have to be revoked. 

Councillors decided not to progress with this at this time. Our Place Lawrence community consultation work has begun in Lawrence and is the opportunity for the community to help shape a new Community Plan. Councillors made the point that until this plan is further developed it is important that land which could have potential for future community use should not be disposed of.