Government reform and housing priorities for Waimakariri council
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Addressing government reform and housing are priorities for the Waimakariri council over the next three years.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon has created two new portfolios in government reform and housing, as the district faces a challenging three years.
Gordon will take the lead in tackling government reform, while Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson has taken on the housing portfolio.
The appointments were confirmed at the Waimakariri District Council’s first ordinary meeting on Tuesday, November 8.
With various reforms coming the council’s way, including Three Waters, the future of local government and the Resource Management Act,
Gordon says it is important the district has a strong voice.
Housing is becoming a significant issue in the district, with a growing population, rising prices, a low rental stock and a lack of affordable housing.
Gordon also announced appointments to various committees, with each councillor allocated portfolios and set to take a turn chairing a council committee over the next three years.
‘‘We have been running a portfolio system for a number of years,’’ he says.
‘‘When I first come on to the council there was effectively an A and B team, but I think this is a much fairer system and I note other councils, including Christchurch, are looking at it.’’
The appointment of former mayor David Ayers as the Waimakariri and Hurunui representative to the Canterbury Museum Trust Board was
also confirmed.
Ayers is the board chairperson and has an important role to play in the museum’s ongoing redevelopment, Gordon says.
Councillor remuneration for the coming year was also confirmed.
Mayor Gordon’s salary is $146,838, while there is a remuneration pool of $555,247 for the 10 councillors.
Deputy mayor Atkinson’s salary is $69,373 and the nine councillors will each receive $53,986.
■ Waimakariri District Council committees:
Hearings Committee: Cr Neville Atkinson, Cr Al Blackie, Cr Robbie Brine, Cr Brent Cairns, Cr Tim Fulton, Cr Jason Goldsworthy, Cr Niki
Mealings, Cr Philip Redmond, Cr Joan Ward and Cr Paul Williams.
Chief Executive Review Committee: Mayor Dan Gordon, Cr Atkinson, Cr Redmond and Cr Ward.
Mahi Tahi Joint Development Committee: Mr Gordon, Cr Atkinson and Cr Mealings.
Audit and Risk Committee: Cr Atkinson, Cr Fulton, Cr Goldsworthy, Cr Ward and Cr Williams.
Community and Recreation Committee: Cr Blackie, Cr Brine, Cr Cairns, Cr Mealings and Cr Redmond.
District Planning and Regulation Committee: Cr Atkinson, Cr Blackie, Cr Cairns, Cr Fulton and Cr Goldsworthy.
Utilities and Roading Committee: Cr Brine, Cr Mealings, Cr Redmond, Cr Ward and Cr Williams.
Appointments:
Greater Christchurch Partnership: Mr Gordon, Cr Atkinson and Cr Mealings.
Canterbury Museum Trust Board: David Ayers.
District Licencing Committee: Commissioners Cr Atkinson (Chair), Jim Gerard (Deputy Chair), Wendy Doody, Cr Redmond and Cr Williams until review in mid-2024
Mayor Gordon - Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (CDEM Group), Greater Christchurch Public Transport Joint Committee, Canterbury Regional Land Transport Committee, Enterprise North Canterbury Trust Board.
Cr Blackie - Te Kohaka o Tuhaitara Trust.
Cr Brine - Canterbury Waste Joint Committee, Canterbury Regional Landfill Joint Committee.
Cr Fulton - Waimakariri Water Zone Committee.
Portfolios:
Mayor Gordon - Iwi Relationships, Government Reform, Greater Christchurch Partnership, Transport.
Cr Atkinson - Property and Housing, International Relationships.
Cr Blackie - Arts and Culture, Greenspace (Parks, Reserves and Sports Grounds).
Cr Brine - Solid Waste, Community Facilities (including Aquatic Centres, Multi-use Sports Stadium, Libraries/Service Centres, Town Halls
and Museums).
Cr Cairns - Community Development and Wellbeing, Business, Promotion and Town Centres.
Cr Fulton - District Planning.
Cr Goldsworthy - Civil Defence and Regulation.
Cr Mealings - Climate Change and Sustainability.
Cr Redmond - Roading.
Cr Ward - Audit, Risk, Annual/Long Term Plans, Communications and Customer Service.
Cr Williams - Drainage and Stockwater and Three Waters (Drinking Water, Sewer and Stormwater).
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.9% 1st December
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17.7% A week before Christmas
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32.6% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below