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Waihemo Community Board Meeting
will be held on:
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Date: |
Monday, 10 March 2025 |
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Time: |
6:00 pm |
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Location: |
Waihemo Service Centre, Palmerston |
Agenda
Waihemo Community Board Meeting
10 March 2025
Alex Parmley
Chief Executive
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Waihemo Community Board Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
Agenda Items
4 Confirmation of Previous Meeting Minutes
4.1 Public minutes of the Waihemo Community Board Meeting held on 2 December 2024
5.1 Building Consents issued in the Waihemo Ward during November, December 2024 and January 2025
5.2 Community Board Members and Ward Councillor's Report
5.4 Financial Report to Waihemo Community Board (March 2025)
5.5 Council Information Report - Links to Council Meeting Agenda Papers
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
4 Confirmation of Previous Meeting Minutes
4.1 Public minutes of the Waihemo Community Board Meeting held on 2 December 2024
Author: Shannon Barlow, Executive Assistant
Authoriser: Alex Parmley, Chief Executive
Attachments: 1. Public minutes of the Waihemo Community Board Meeting held on 2 December 2024
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That the Waihemo Community Board confirms the Public minutes of the Waihemo Community Board Meeting held on 2 December 2024, as circulated, as a true and correct record of that meeting.
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Meeting UNCONFIRMED Minutes |
2 December 2024 |
DRAFT UNCONFIRMED MINUTES
OF THE Waihemo Community Board Meeting
HELD IN THE Waihemo Service Centre, Palmerston
ON Monday, 2 December 2024 AT 6.00pm
PRESENT: Mrs Heather McGregor (Chair), Mr Paul Roy (Deputy Chair), Mrs Carol Watson, Mrs Tanya Bell, Mr Kerry Stevens, and Cr Jim Thomson
IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Gary Kircher
Paul Hope (Director Support Services)
Shannon Barlow (Executive Assistant; minute-taker)
In Attendance for Specific Agenda Items:
Joshua Rendell (Infrastructure Manager)
Lindsay Hyde (Recreation Manager)
meeting open
The Chair declared the meeting open at 6.00pm and welcomed everyone present.
There were no apologies.
There were no declarations of interest.
Speaker registrations:
Mr. Smith addressed concerns about the Puketapu track's implementation timeline and its impact, including access issues on private land. Questions were raised about project delays, deer removal commitment, funding decisions, and government funding inconsistencies. The Chair and Mayor clarified processes and funding reallocations, and the Recreation Manager noted delays due to fawning season. Director Paul Hope suggested filing questions as official information requests for accurate responses, and a Board member requested the Chair review the response before sending it to Mr. Smith.
Ms. Barsby noted that stormwater infrastructure issues in Palmerston are affecting homes, making them uninhabitable and uninsurable, and causing damage to roads and railways. She and her neighbours have been maintaining the land themselves due to the council not keeping up with the water channels, which has led to significant flooding. There is uncertainty about who is responsible for maintaining the stormwater channels, involving different councils (WDC, ORC), NZTA, and private landowners. A joint meeting has been proposed to clarify responsibilities.
4 Confirmation of Previous Meeting Minutes
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4.1 Public minutes of the Waihemo Community Board Meeting held on 4 November 2024 |
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Resolved WCB 2024/050 Moved: Cr Jim Thomson Seconded: Mr Paul Roy That the Waihemo Community Board confirms the Public minutes of the Waihemo Community Board Meeting held on 4 November 2024, as circulated, as a true and correct record of that meeting. Carried |
5 decision Reports
The Chair directed the meeting to the report contained in the Agenda Addendum.
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5.1 Waihemo Recreation Reserve - Grazing licence |
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The report, as circulated, sought the Board’s recommendation to Council on whether to issue a licence to graze part of the Waihemo Recreation Reserve. Mr. Hyde discussed the ongoing issues related to the Puketapu recreation reserve and emphasised the need for effective management. The Puketapu Community Trust is involved in pest control and planting initiatives. The Reserves Act allows grazing if there are no other community demands. The chair inquired about the public notification process, and Mr. Hyde stated that a month's notice is required. A board member suggested a three-stage retirement plan for grazing, which was recommended for consultation. |
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Resolved WCB 2024/051 Moved: Mr Kerry Stevens Seconded: Mr Paul Roy That the Waihemo Community Board recommends: That Council: 1. Agree to issue a licence to graze part of the Waihemo Recreation Reserve, subject to public notification and consideration of any submissions. 2. Uses Option 1 from the Waihemo Recreation Reserve Retirement Plan (a three-staged retirement) as the detail for the consultation. Carried |
6 Memorandum Reports
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6.1 Building Consents issued in the Waihemo Ward during October 2024 |
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The report, as circulated, provided Board members with a list of building consents issued in the Waihemo Ward during October 2024. |
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Resolved WCB 2024/052 Moved: Mr Kerry Stevens Seconded: Cr Jim Thomson That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information. Carried |
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6.2 Copy of Mayor's Response to Waihemo Community Board Submission on Council's Enhanced Annual Plan 2024-2025 |
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The report, as circulated, provided a copy of Council’s official response to the Waihemo Community Board’s submission to Council’s Enhanced Annual Plan FY2024-2025. It noted that the projects listed in the response letter have been included into the new Projects Update report that went to the Board’s November meeting. |
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Resolved WCB 2024/053 Moved: Mrs Tanya Bell Seconded: Mrs Carol Watson That the Waihemo Community Board formally receives and notes the information. Carried |
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6.3 Waihemo Community Board Correspondence |
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The report, as circulated, attached correspondence addressed to the Waihemo Community Board that has been received since the previous meeting, for the Board’s consideration and response action as required. |
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Resolved WCB 2024/054 Moved: Cr Jim Thomson Seconded: Mrs Carol Watson That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the correspondence received since the previous Board Meeting and agrees any action points to be taken in response. Carried |
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6.4 Chairperson's Report |
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The report, as circulated, shared the Chairperson’s report with Board members and the public. |
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Resolved WCB 2024/055 Moved: Mrs Heather McGregor Seconded: Mrs Tanya Bell That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information. Carried |
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6.5 Community Board Members and Ward Councillor's Report - November 2024 |
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The report, as circulated, convey reports from the Waihemo Community Board Members and the Waihemo Ward Councillor for the information of communities throughout the Waihemo Ward. Cr Jim Thomson apologised for not submitting his report in time for inclusion in the agenda papers. |
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Resolved WCB 2024/056 Moved: Cr Jim Thomson Seconded: Mr Paul Roy That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information. Carried |
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6.6 Council Information Report - Links to Council Meeting Agenda Papers |
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The circulated report included links to agenda papers and summaries of recent Council Meetings for Community Board members. Mayor Kircher discussed potential water partnerships with Gore and Central Otago councils, aiming to finalise agreements by December 2024 under a new voluntary water reform policy. Mr. Hope noted three water reform bills, with the third detailing requirements for the Water Service Delivery Plan. Challenges include evolving requirements and tight deadlines, especially for mixed-use water supplies. |
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Resolved WCB 2024/057 Moved: Mrs Carol Watson Seconded: Mrs Tanya Bell That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information. Carried |
The Chair thanked Leanne Kingan for assisting with Community Board meetings, Governance Advisor Ainslee Hooper for her guidance, and Directors Lisa Baillie and Paul Hope, Chief Executive Alex Parmley, and Mayor Gary Kircher for attending when possible.
A Board member raised concerns about the lack of discussion and reports for items 5.2 and 5.3 regarding the adoption of updated Standing Orders and Code of Conduct. It was suggested to defer these updates to the next Community Board term, as adopting them now would only affect three meetings next year. The request is to continue with the current orders and code and prioritise these items early in the next term.
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additional Motion |
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Resolved WCB 2024/058 Moved: Mr Kerry Stevens Seconded: Mrs Carol Watson That the Waihemo Community Board recommends: That Council have the two items 5.2 Adoption of Updated Standing Orders and 5.3 Adoption of Updated Code of Conduct are put on the first possible agenda for the next Community Board after the October election so it does not get missed for another term. Carried |
The Chair thanked the Board Members, the Mayor, the Chief Executive, and Mr Rendell for attending and participating in the meeting, then wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
5 Meeting Close
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 7.13pm.
TO BE CONFIRMED at the Waihemo Community Board Meeting to be held on
Monday 10 March 2025.
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CHAIRPERSON
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
5 Memorandum Reports
5.1 Building Consents issued in the Waihemo Ward during November, December 2024 and January 2025
Author: Brent Cunningham, Building Services Manager
Authoriser: Roger Cook, Director Natural and Built Environment
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That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information.
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Purpose
To provide Board members with a list of building consents issued in the Waihemo Ward during November, December 2024 and January 2025.
November 2024
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Project Address |
Project Description |
Cost ($) |
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Dunback-Morrisons Road |
Pile Foundations, Installation of a woodburner and Plumbing & Drainage Connections for a relocated self-contained 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin |
19,500 |
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Pugh Road, Hampden |
Extension and Alterations to existing dwelling to include ensuite and bathroom, new lounge, bedroom convert to rumpus, reconfigure kitchen, laundry/scullery, external mudroom and new deck & framing |
150,000 |
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London Street, Hampden |
Extension of an existing on-site wastewater dispersal mound |
42,000 |
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Duncan Road, Moeraki |
Stage 1 of 3. Installation of an Austin Bluewater Septic System and fields |
12,000 |
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Coronation Street, Moeraki |
Construction of a 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom dwelling |
214,183 |
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Area Sub-totals |
Cost $ |
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Dunback-Morrisons |
19,500 |
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Hampden |
192,000 |
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Moeraki |
226,183 |
December 2024
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Project Address |
Project Description |
Cost ($) |
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Stour Street, Palmerston |
Accessible upgrades to Block B and Block C |
200,000 |
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Area Sub-totals |
Cost $ |
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Palmerston |
200,000 |
January 2025
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Project Address |
Project Description |
Cost ($) |
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Stenhouse Road, Mount Trotter |
Construction of a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom dwelling with woodburner, attached garage and Wastewater Treatment System |
736,000 |
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Area Sub-totals |
Cost $ |
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Mount Trotter |
736,000 |
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
5.2 Community Board Members and Ward Councillor's Report
Author: Sieglyn Duero, Executive Assistant
Authoriser: Alex Parmley, Chief Executive
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That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information.
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Purpose
The purpose of this report is to convey reports from the Waihemo Community Board Members and the Waihemo Ward Councillor for the information of communities throughout the Waihemo Ward.
WAIHEMO COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
1. Board Member Paul Roy
2. [No report was supplied by the time of agenda production.]
3.
4. Board Member Tanya Bell
5.
4 November 24 Waihemo Community Board Meeting Palmerston
11 November 24 East Otago Community Health Trust AGM and meeting Palmerston
Waitaki Story Conversation Palmerston
13 November 24 Informal Discussion
28 November 24 Christmas tree assembly Palmerston
5 December 24 Meals on Wheels Delivered
27 January East Otago Community Health Trust meeting Waikouiti
10 February Informal discussion
12 February Informal discussion
27 February LTP Engagements Hampden
Board Member Carol Watson
10 February Attended an informal meeting of the Community Board
12 February Informal meeting of the Community Board
19 February LTP Workshop at Palmerston
Board Member Kerry Stevens
25 November 24 Hosted a community meeting in Hampden to discuss local preparedness for civil emergencies such as flooding and road closures.
02 December 24 Attended WCB locality model briefing and WCB meeting in Palmerston
14 December 24 Attended WCB Xmas dinner at Moeraki Tavern
24 January Met with Jane Matchett at Hampden Beach Reserve to discuss budgeted maintenance repairs to the parking area
10 February Attended informal WCB discussion re LTP
18 February Attended the LTP community housing meeting with Council staff and tenants in Hampden
27 February I will attend the Q&A session re WDC LTP in Hampden on 27 February.
A community meeting in Hampden on 25 November decided to form the Hampden Response Group, which is a group of volunteers who will offer support to Police, Fire, Ambulance and/or Civil Defence as, and when, additional community support may be needed in future. This is not a formal Civil Defence group but will perform a similar function during times of local emergencies.
Waihemo Ward Councillor Jim Thomson
3 December 24 Council Activity update Oamaru
5 December 24 DPRSC meeting Oamaru
Zoom meeting with NZTA
10 December 24 Governance only day Oamaru
12 December 24 DPRSC meeting Oamaru
TWL shareholder meeting Oamaru
16 December 24 CEEC meeting Oamaru
17 January Meeting Staff regarding District Plan Oamaru
27 January Meeting NO Tennis to discuss their development plans
3 February Shareholder meeting with WCL Oamaru
10 February WCB informal chat
11 February Subcommittee meetings Oamaru
12 February WCB meeting with Building Owner
17 February Council Meeting, on zoom.
Please note, I have received numerous calls from ratepayers seeking assistance with various issues. Additionally, we have experienced breakdowns in our water schemes. While ratepayers are aware that our subcontractors are addressing these issues, I believe there is room for improvement in our communication with those affected.
Although I am currently across the ditch attending to family matters, I am still participating in meetings online.
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
5.3 Chairperson's Report
Author: Sieglyn Duero, Executive Assistant
Authoriser: Alex Parmley, Chief Executive
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That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information. |
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to share the Chairperson’s report with Board members and the public.
Meetings attended
2 December 24 Board Meeting, WCB Locality Briefing, Palmerston.
10 February Informal WCB Discussion.
12 February Meeting with Business Owner Bernie Sugrue with Board Members.
18 February Palmerston LTP Community Housing Meeting.
19 February Palmerston LTP Community Engagement.
27 February Hampden LTP Community Engagement.
Several phone calls to various WDC Staff during January and February.
Locality Officer
As we start into the New Year, the Waihemo Ward will have a Locality Officer based here in Palmerston at the Waihemo Service Centre, this is part of the Transformation that WDC are undertaking.
Palmerston & Waihemo A&P Association
Congratulations to the Palmerston & Waihemo A&P Association on a successful 160th Show.
Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted in any way to ensure the success of this annual event.
Community Grants
The applications for local groups and organisations in the Waihemo Ward to apply for funding to the Community Grants and the Creative Community Scheme, these close on 7 March and 14 March, full details are on the WDC Website.
Community Housing LTP Engagement.
I attended this session in Palmerston, which was well attended by residences of the Community Housing, a lot of questions were asked and WDC Staff who attended engaged well with them.
Palmerston Q&A LTP Engagement.
Unfortunately, this was not supported well from the Community but for those who did attend, they engaged well with the Staff.
Thank you to the Staff for organising these sessions for the time and resources that you have put into the LTP process.
Town Centre Business.
Following an article that was in the Oamaru Mail (24 January 2025), regarding the state of the Railway Station and the empty shops on Ronaldsay Street, the Board met with Business Owner Mr Bernie Sugrue and agreed to work with him on how to revitalise the town.
We will be working with the Economic Development Team from WDC to engage in the best way possible to achieve this result.
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
5.4 Financial Report to Waihemo Community Board (March 2025)
Author: Amanda Nicholls, Chief Financial Officer
Authoriser: Paul Hope, Director Support Services
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That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information.
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Purpose
This report is intended to update the Waihemo Community Board on financial matters and activities within the Waihemo ward
Summary of key financial results – Appendix A
This is a high-level view which summarises rates revenue and the operational cost of the Community Board activity – operating costs include the remuneration and other expenses related to the elected members of the Board themselves and a share of Council overheads, together with details of grants made during the period.
This report records the Board’s financial performance against budget for the six months ended 31 December 2024.
Significant projects within the ward – Appendix B
The Board may submit proposals for works to be undertaken that it believes will benefit the community, and Council officers also schedule large projects with that same objective. This report provides a financial summary listing those projects, their budgeted cost, and the amounts spent to date on bringing them to fruition. Members may request further information to be provided to a future meeting.
Community funding – Appendix C
This report provides details of budgeted and actual amounts of grant funding provided for community groups and activities within the Board’s purview.
Separate rate accounts – Appendix D
Appendix A - Summarised Key Financial Results for the period ended 31 December 2024
The table below sets out summarised financial information related to the Community Board for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, including amounts budgeted but unspent in 2024 and previous periods for community grants and discretionary spending.
Further analysis of unspent grant funding is provided in Appendix C which details community grant and discretionary spending.
Appendix B - Significant projects planned within the ward in the 2024-25 financial year
This report details projects to be undertaken in the Waihemo ward during the 2024-25 financial year, highlighting progress being made by reporting projected project cost and actual cost incurred to date. The intention of this report is to inform the Board on progress towards the completion of key capital works for the benefit of the communities in the Waihemo ward.
Approved budget includes both the adopted 2024-25 Enhanced Annual Plan budget for the work and any unspent budget amounts approved to be carried forward from the 2023-24 financial year.
Spent to date includes expenditure processed up to approximately two weeks prior to the date of this meeting.
Appendix C - Community Funding
The annual budget for the Community Board includes amounts intended to enable it to provide a level of additional financial support within its local community.
· Discretionary Fund
1. The annual budget of $5,000, together with unspent funds of $18,492 from the 2023-24 financial year, provides $23,492 to fund small community projects. As this budget is funded directly from rates, balances unspent at year end are carried forward until spent.
2.
· Community Grants
3. An annual budget of $9,000 for Community Grants, including $5,000 for the Waihemo Heritage Trust. Unspent balances are carried forward until spent, and $29,853 has been added from 2023-24, providing $38,853 for the 2024-25 financial year.
Council is commencing work on the 2025-2034 Long Term Plan, and officers would appreciate the Board reviewing its projected budgets for community and discretionary grants over that period.
The report below details expenditure on grants in the current year – recipient, purpose and amount provided against the annual budget, including amounts unspent from previous periods.
Appendix D - Separate Rate Accounts
The preparation of financial reporting of separate rate accounts is subject to delays arising from the need to ensure accuracy in processing financial transactions, particularly relating to capitalisation and depreciation of assets, and to the funding of capital projects. For this reason, presentation of these reports cannot be made in a timely manner.
The table below lists the balances of separate rate accounts relating to community halls within the Waihemo ward at 30 September 2024.
The Palmerston Hall rate supports the operations of two halls in the township. Council maintains a depreciation reserve in relation to the Palmerston Sports Hall only.
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
5.5 Council Information Report - Links to Council Meeting Agenda Papers
Author: Sieglyn Duero, Executive Assistant
Authoriser: Alex Parmley, Chief Executive
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That the Waihemo Community Board receives and notes the information.
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Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide links to final agenda papers and any related attachments for recent Council Meetings and events, along with the Chief Executive’s summary of discussions at Council Meetings (where available), for the information of Community Board members and their Ward communities.
SUMMARY
Links are provided below to the final agenda papers to recent Council Meetings, as published on Council’s website, since the previous Community Board Meeting. The Chief Executive’s summaries of Council Meetings, where available and as posted on Facebook, have also been provided within the list of links, for ease of reference for Board Members and residents of their Ward communities.
Please note that recordings of all the public sessions of the meetings and events listed below can also be found on Council’s YouTube page (direct links provided below):
Waitaki District Council - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5QsY7I0r-NK-TEIR8C9yNw
Click on the LIVE tab to bring up the various meetings and events that have been livestreamed.
Direct links to Council Meeting agenda papers since the last Community Board Meeting, as published on Council’s website in the “Council Meetings / Agendas and Minutes” section are provided below.
Public Agenda for the Council Meeting held on 17 December 2024
Public Agenda for the Supplementary Agenda on 17 December 2024
Late Reports Agenda of Council - Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Public Agenda Attachment for the 17 December 2024
20241217-att-1-rec-to-council-dprsc-updated-republished.pdf
Public Agenda for the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 17 February 2025
Agenda of Extraordinary Council - Monday, 17 February 2025
Public Agenda for the Council Meeting held on 25 February 2025
Agenda of Council - Tuesday, 25 February 2025
Chief Executive’s Summary of 17 December 2024 Council Meeting (as published on Facebook):
Yesterday was what was billed as a “mega meeting” of council – a big agenda with some very big decisions. And it lived up to expectations.
I took the opportunity in my CE’s report to reflect upon the year just gone. We, like all councils, have got a lot to do in meeting the challenges of a very financially constrained environment and a lot of demand for us to do more or to deliver to higher standards set by Government.
We also set ourselves the challenge of changing radically how we operate and deliver as a council. Over the last year we have:
• started implementing our changes for transformation.
• delivered some significant projects and benefits for our community such as the start of the Events Centre construction, Project Reclaim and the tens of other projects to improve our economy, environment, community and cultural facilities.
• continuing with our Business As Usual as a Council.
• and on top of this, dealing with significant unplanned work such as the transfer of Oamaru Hospital and the continued review of the District Plan
We are a small organisation delivering a big programme. And yes, we want to do better, more effectively and efficiently – that is why we are transforming our organisation.
I took the opportunity to thank you - our great staff team - together with our partners and contractors and those around the Governance table who have enabled us to achieve so much, acting as One Team for our district and communities.
Council today agreed two options to consult our community on the future of our water services.
What we do with water, and the decisions made on this, doesn’t just impact water, it will impact the future of this council and what else it is able to achieve or not for its community.
We are keen to look at the partnership options to work with other councils and get a better deal for ratepayer, but these still need further work to know what is possible and the benefits.
In the meantime, Council will consult on its preferred option of putting waters services into a Council company, and the other option of keeping water within Council.
The consultation with our community on our Long-Term Plan (LTP) and budget was also on the agenda today. Due to the changes in the Government’s water reform this is now a 9-year LTP and budget.
There are some tough choices for Councils and communities on where the limited resources go and we hope to start engaging with our community from late January on everything from water services and whether to reopen & protect Beach Road, to selling property and rating for “Airbnbs”.
At their July meeting this year, Council agreed to carry forward some projects from the previous year but asked officers to bring back a report reviewing the programme for 2024/25, to ensure it was deliverable and we could remain within set borrowing limits.
Today Council agreed changes to the capital programme which means some projects are cancelled, some are deferred, and some have had their funding reduced. As part of this, new funding was agreed to support the Geopark within this financial year.
With a little bit of amendment, to emphasise our approach of education first, before enforcement, Council also approved the Waitaki District Dog Control Bylaw and Policy.
Following community engagement and then consultation, this will include a six-month trial of allowing dogs on leads in Thames Street as well as Harbour street during daylight hours.
The future of Waitaki District Health Services Limited (WDHSL) was also considered by Council today, who agreed to start the process of winding the company up.
Since 1 July 2024, when Health NZ took over services and leased Oamaru Hospital, WDHSL has no longer been a provider of health services and instead its only role is as landlord to Health NZ and Awanui Labs.
The company therefore no longer fulfils the reasons why it was established. Continuation of WDHSL, imposes additional expense and bureaucracy, as well as carrying risk.
In winding it up, it is proposed that it will gift the company’s assets to the Council in a way that ensures they can only be used for charitable purposes. This will, in time, provide a ring-fenced fund which Council can use to support things that bring community health benefits in the district.
Finally, after ten years of review and considerable engagement with our community, including an additional year’s work to address some of the community concerns, Council agreed to “notify” the proposed District Plan today.
Under the Resource Management Act every Council is required to have a district plan and is required to undertake a review of that plan on a regular basis. District Plans are challenging because they are bound up in rules and laws set by Parliament which councils are required to follow.
This is not the end of the process, but the next staging post in the plan’s development, which will lead to a public submission process commencing Saturday 1 March 2025 and running through to Friday 9 May 2025.
The Council will provide support to local submitters to engage in the submissions process.
I hope that the Waitaki community, our Council officers, Governance Team, contractors and everyone who contributes towards making our district a great place to live has an enjoyable Christmas break, a happy holiday and New Year.
Alex Parmley
Chief Executive
Chief Executive’s Summary of 25 February 2025 Council Meeting (as published on Facebook):
” Another busy day in the Council Chamber yesterday.
This included consideration of a notice of motion (a council procedure for councillors to request things be formally considered) to reverse the decision taken in May last year on the Sports and Events Centre flooring.
The mix of flooring for the new centre has been debated considerably as it impacts which sporting codes can use the centre and the extent to which the centre will be able to attract tournaments to the district. There is no right answer, just different outcomes from the range of different options.
After initial consideration, Council voted to not reopen this issue and stick with the original decision of 6 timber sprung courts.
Council also considered its formal submission to the government’s latest stage of the Resource Management Act (RMA) review. The RMA sets rules on land use which councils are required to set out in their district plans, its amendments and then uphold.
The current Government Bill proposes amendments that impact infrastructure, farming and natural hazards. The Council supported the submission which broadly welcomes the proposed changes but suggests some further changes.
Also on the agenda today was the Solid Waste Business Case which sets out the options for increasing recycling and reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and reducing the associated emissions.
This includes the option to move to a council controlled kerbside waste and recycling collection service. As in the community, views are divided around the council table as to what is the best way forward for the council and district.
The district is one of only five in the country without a council run waste and recycling kerbside collection, but we have some good community services, and many residents highly committed to waste minimisation and recycling.
Council agreed today to accept the business case and ask officers to prepare to consult the community on their views of the best way forward.
Governments and councils have been discussing the best way forward for the management of and investment required in water for almost a decade since the Havelock North incident and fatalities.
The Government’s Local Water Done Well reform, replaces the last government’s 3 Water / Affordable water reforms.
The government requires every council to prepare a Water Services Delivery Plan by September 2025 setting out how they will manage and invest in water services and infrastructure.
Council is currently consulting on two options for the future of water services. However, legislation planned to be passed later this year by the Government now instructs Councils to consult on three of the five possible options set out by the government.
Council agreed today to enter into a partnership with Gore, Clutha and Central Otago district councils to investigate the development of a joint council company to manage water. Other councils are also considering joining.
This will enable us to consult our community on three options –
1. Keeping water services in house
2. Putting water services into a company owned just by this council and
3. Putting water services into a company owned by this and other councils.
Council will need to agree its preferred option in April so it can consult the community in May before making a final decision on what is the best way forward for water in July 2025.
Council received a report today outlining the options for use of the $15.6m repaid by Observatory Retirement Village.
Council lent the Trust money to develop the village to support providing additional homes in the district. The Council received a small return above what it costs to borrow funds. The money lent was originally from reserves to pay for replacement infrastructure and assets. Council agreed today to use the funds to pay back debt.
Once this is done this will bring the Council’s total debt down from $86m to $71m. Of that $71m, more than $20m is lent out to other local organisations, mainly irrigation companies which we get a return on above our borrowing costs.
Around $50m of the debt is related to the investment in new water assets to meet the legal requirements and standards.”
Alex Parmley
Chief Executive
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Meeting Agenda |
10 March 2025 |
5.6 Correspondence
Author: David Campbell, Heritage & Planning Manager
Authoriser: Roger Cook, Director Natural and Built Environment
Attachments: 1. Letter
received from Bruce and Denise Cameron ⇩ 
2. Original
Response from 17 November 2023 ⇩
3. Officers
Response ⇩
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That the Waihemo Community Board formally receives two items of correspondence and considers officer comments (where available) and any actions in response.
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Purpose
The purpose of this report is to present Board correspondence that has been received by the Board Chair for formal receipt by the Board and to provide additional officer comments where these have been sought by the Chair and for actions to be agreed in response.
Summary
Correspondence has been supplied by the Board Chair for formal receipt at this meeting.
