​Long Term Planning in Progress

It’s been another busy period across the Hurunui, with your elected members involved in long term planning processes, which is an accountability document that covers a 10 year horizon and combines community outcomes, financial and infrastructure strategies and requires formal consultation and feedback prior to adoption in June 2027.

Recently Councillor Chris Scarlett and I represented our district at the Local Government New Zealand Conference in Rotorua.

Conferences are a valuable opportunity to connect with mayors and councillors from around the country, to hear different perspectives and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our sector.

There is certainly plenty on the table with central government looking closely at how local government is structured, how services are delivered and how we can make the most of the resources available to us.

With the upcoming election, we got to hear from a range of prospective representatives across all parties with some insights to what might be offered post the general election in November.

For Hurunui, these conversations are particularly important. We are a large rural district with small towns, rural communities, farms, businesses and people spread across a considerable area.

Therefore, what works for a large city may not necessarily work for us, and that is why it is so important that the voice of rural communities is heard as decisions are made about the future of local government.

One of the key insights I took away from the conference was the importance of keeping communities at the centre of the conversation. Whatever changes may lie ahead, we need to ensure local knowledge, relationships and decision making remain part of the picture. Our communities know their places, their people and their needs, and that knowledge is incredibility valuable.

We also need to keep looking at how we can work more effectively together. Local government is facing financial pressures, increasing expectations and significant changes in the way services may be delivered.

There is an opportunity to consider new ways of working, share expertise and reduce duplication, while still protecting the things that matter most to our residents.

Of course, structural change is only part of the story, at the end of the day local government is about people, it is about understanding what matters to our communities listening to different views and making decisions that support our district now and into the future.

So until we understand what we might look like in 10 years, we will continue with our Long Term Planning, implement the new Planning and Natural Environment Act, and play our part in developing the Canterbury Regional Spatial Plan alongside the daily functions of council, all with the goal of making the Hurunui a great place to live and do business.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me marie.black@hurunui.govt.nz.