Word from the Mayor
Last time I wrote it was just prior to lockdown and the unfortunate return of community infection of the coronavirus. Eventful Hurunui was about to host a free workshop for event planners within the district, like many events postponement was necessary, however the board has rebooked this session for Tuesday 21 September 6pm at The Better Half Leithfield. Bookings are essential and dependent on levels and appropriate protocols in place.
We at the Hurunui District council were also impacted by planning community events particularly in regard to the engagement for the 3 waters reform. Nevertheless last week we hosted 4 zoom sessions to enable interaction with our community. Fellow Councillors and I are thankful to members of our district have taken time to contact via zoom, email or facebook and shared their concerns on this matter of significance.
Over the past 10 years successive governments have proposed that larger water entities would be more efficient. The Department of Internal Affairs on behalf of central government have been charged at looking at the “case for change” and started from a policy position, stating that internationally amalgamated water entities have been proven more effective and efficient than smaller private, or council owned delivery systems.
The Canterbury Mayoral Forum has written to Minister Mahuta seeking a “pause and reset”. If you wish to read through the range of question’s we have posed they are available on the website for you to view alongside other relevant information. Your informal feedback to date is valuable as it tests our assumptions and the thinking of councillors.
Here, in the Hurunui we believe it is important to keep our small communities alive and vibrant as it supports local employment, education, health, policing, economic activity and volunteer services that are kept relevant and accessible. Many of the comments sent to me indicate concerns that the current thinking to centralize power is eroding local democracy and is unacceptable – local democracy allows your voice to be heard.
The current environment for proposed change in 3 waters, RMA and health to name only a few reminds me of a quote I recently read from Dwight Einsenhower “Farming looks mighty easy when your plough is a pencil and you are a thousand miles away from the cornfield”
On a different note there have been reports of rubbish dumping in some of our river beds – this is not acceptable behaviour we are working hard to promote good environmental outcomes and it disappoints me when this occurs. We should pride ourselves on better outcomes.
Keep up the great work in rolling out the vaccinations the health centers have really stepped up to support us, my thanks also go to the teachers who are supporting our young people through this unsettled period for learning. And last but not least the farmers and growers we have come through a challenging winter but we look forward to a favorable response in spring.
Take care
Marie