E-NEWS

Clutha District Council			E-Newsletter
The Latest Council News Online		Issue#9 – 31 March 2008

Welcome to the Clutha District Council E-Newsletter, a Council service that aims to keep ratepayers, residents and stakeholders more informed. The E-Newsletter is released every six weeks, following Council meetings. It is also be available online at www.cluthadc.govt.nz

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In this edition of Clutha District Council E-Newsletter:

Draft Annual Plan out for public consultation

Clutha District Council’s draft Annual Plan 2008/09 has been published and we are now seeking submissions to it.

The draft plan outlines the proposed rating structure along with major projects, activities and levels of service planned for the coming financial year. It focuses on year three of the Long Term Council Community Plan 2006-16 and contains no major changes to established priorities.

It proposes operating expenditure of $30.7 million (including depreciation of $12.4 million) and capital expenditure of $17.9 million, with total rate revenue of $18.4 million. It proposes an overall rates rise of 5.13%, however individual rating increases will vary depending on what needs to happen to the bundle of services in each of the 11 different rating areas. The majority of spending in the coming year, as in previous years, is associated with roading, water, wastewater and stormwater activity areas.

The draft Annual Plan and a Summary of the draft plan, along with submission forms are available from our website by clicking here. Copies are also available from the Council’s main office at Rosebank Terrace, Balclutha, from any Council Service Centre or Library, or from selected community stores throughout the district.

Submissions to the draft Annual Plan close on Friday 2 May 2008.

Council to consider options for former forestry block land

Council will consider options for subdividing the area of land in North Balclutha which has recently been cleared of trees.  The 19.7ha forestry block, which had been on its second rotation, was felled during the second half of last year.

In the 1980’s the then Balclutha Borough Council had plans drawn up to subdivide the area into some 178 sections.

Council Chief Executive Charles Hakkaart says the current proposals are less ambitious as Council now wishes to consider a mix of lifestyle and urban options.

A preliminary layout plan has been drawn up and the immediate plan is to have all the tree stumps from the area removed and prepare the area for grassing. It is proposed the gullies in the area will be planted out with natives to provide a green belt.

Mr Hakkaart says it would be nice to see walking and/or mountain-biking tracks within the proposed green belt, and to create a loop which would allow people to walk and bike up and look out over the town as there are some fantastic views over Balclutha and Inch Clutha right out to the sea.

Some people have already expressed an interest in sections in the area. However, it is still early days as we still have to first investigate the provision and costs of services (water, sewerage, stormwater and roading) to the area so it can determine the likely cost of the resulting sections. Work on this will begin shortly.

In the meantime, we are interested to hear what the community’s views are on the future of the area.

“We want to know whether there is any interest in helping to develop the green belt area and walking/biking tracks,” Mr Hakkaart says. “We also want to know what people think about the draft layout. Is the mix of urban and lifestyle right, and what other ideas should the Council consider?”

He says Council may also consider a joint venture to develop and subdivide the land.

The draft concept plan of the North Balclutha site is available for viewing on our website by clicking here. If you have a view on this issue, please email help.desk@cluthadc.govt.nz

Youth Council members sworn into office

The Clutha District’s first ever youth councillors were sworn into office at the Inaugural Meeting of the Clutha District Youth Council held on Monday 3 March 2008.

Mayor Juno Hayes welcomed Youth Council members by congratulating them on their selection and describing the day as a historic and exciting occasion for the Clutha District.

“As members of the Youth Council you have the opportunity to learn and understand the ideals and principles of local government and share that knowledge when required,” Mayor Hayes said in his address.  “This mayoral chain that I proudly wear will be passed on in years to come; chances are that it may well grace your shoulders one day.”

After Youth Council members made their declarations, Vicki Philip was elected as the Youth Council chair, while Brendan Morrison was elected deputy chair.

The next Youth Council meeting will be held on Monday 14 April 2008. The Youth Council will meet on the Mondays preceding Council’s Standing Committee meetings. This will allow the Youth Council to report back to and make recommendations to the full Council on issues that will also come before the Standing Committees.

Photos and profiles of Youth Council members are available on our website by clicking here.

Residents rate Council services

Clutha residents continue to praise Clutha District Council’s wheelie-bin service and its direct-staff related services, according to the results of a recently conducted resident survey.

655 respondents took part in the survey, and for the second year running Council’s wheelie bin service came out on top as the highest rating Council service.

Quality of water supply, roads and footpaths received the lowest average ratings.

However, Chief Executive Charles Hakkaart says it was pleasing to note 79 percent of respondents were aware that Council had been consulting on its proposed footpath upgrade programme. This work will be underway shortly and Council then expects the footpath rating to improve.

The Resident Survey Report is available for viewing on our website by clicking here

Creative Communities NZ Funding Scheme

The Balclutha Floral Art Club and the Catlins Historical Society will benefit from the latest round of Creative Communities NZ funding.

The Creative Communities NZ Funding Scheme is administered by Council. Its purpose is to increase participation in the arts, the range and diversity of the arts and to assist in strengthening the local arts sector.

Council’s Creative Communities NZ Funding Scheme Assessment Committee met on Wednesday 19 March to consider the applications for the third round of the scheme for the 2007/08 year.

A total of two applications were received, and the following grants were confirmed:

• A grant for a guarantee of loss of up to $750 for the Balclutha Floral Art Club for a floral exhibition, ‘Celebrations’, to be held in May.
• A grant of $800 to the Catlins Historical Society to run a series of evening classes to teach community members how to create a family history album.

Applications for financial assistance for the fourth round of the scheme for 2007/08 are now being called for. Groups or individuals who have a specific arts and cultural project in mind should get in touch with us on 0800 801 350, or visit our website by clicking here for more information including application forms. Applications close on Friday 30 May 2008.

Community Directory

If the contact details of your sports club or community organisation have recently changed, please email help.desk@cluthadc.govt.nz so we can keep the online Community Directory up-to-date.

The Community Directory now lists almost 300 groups, committees, sports teams, and associations from throughout the district. It can be viewed on our website by clicking here.

Upcoming Meetings

Don’t forget to check out the Events page on the district www.cluthacountry.co.nz website for a comprehensive list of upcoming community events.

Clutha District Council

1 Rosebank Terrace

Po Box 25,Balclutha

(03) 419 0200

www.cluthadc.govt.nz