E-NEWS

 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

If you wish to subscribe to the E-Newsletter, and haven’t already done so, please click here. If you no longer wish to receive the E-Newsletter, please click here

In this edition of Clutha District Council E-Newsletter:

Public Feedback Wanted on Bylaw Review

Clutha District Council is asking the public to have its say on Council’s Bylaw Review 2008.

Bylaws are rules or regulations created to control specific activities within the Clutha District.

Over the past few months, we have internally reviewed our bylaws, and in some cases we’ve decided that a new bylaw is the most appropriate way to tackle an issue or problem.

An example of this is the draft Liquor Control Bylaw which aims to address alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, vandalism and littering in parts of both Balclutha and Milton. Council believes this bylaw is necessary due to such behaviour in and around public areas, such as the public toilets in both Balclutha and Milton, which can intimidate and prevent people from using these facilities.

A summary of other major changes proposed under the Bylaw Review include:

·                     The addition of provisions to place temporary glass bans in public places.

·                     Introduction of a fine for prohibited types of freedom camping.

·                     Proposed two tier infringement regime for littering in public places ($100 for minor littering and $400 for major littering).

·                     Removal of the licensing requirements for trading in public places in favour of a ‘conditions of operation’ approach.

·                     Notifying Council when moving stock on roads in certain situations:

·                     Charging for recovery of costs when it comes to causing damage or road safety dangers on roads.

·                     Changing the speed limit from 100km to 70km on Kakapuaka and Titri Roads.

·                     Extending the Urban Traffic Areas in Balclutha (Tsukigawa Terrace) and Benhar (McSkimming Lane).

A Summary of Information on the Bylaw Review, as well as the Full Statement of Proposal (the draft bylaws), are available at all Council offices and Service Centres, and on the Council website by clicking here.

Submissions on the Bylaw Review close on Tuesday 3 June, before a Hearing of oral submissions and changes to the draft bylaws are decided on 5 June. The new bylaws will then be adopted by Council on 19 June, before coming into effect from 1 July 2008.

Official opening for new $4.4m Milton Water Treatment Plant

Mayor Juno Hayes will officially open the new $4.4 million Milton Water Treatment Plant at 1pm on Saturday 10 May.

To mark this special occasion, the plant, located at the intersection of North Branch Road and Water Tower Road, just north of Milton, will also be open to the public from 12.30pm to 4pm.

This will be a good opportunity for members of the public to view the “membrane” technology, which uses state-of-the-art tube filters to provide a physical barrier to solids and pathogens. This is the first plant of its type in the Clutha District and will meet the new New Zealand Drinking Water Standards that were introduced in 2005. 

All Milton residents, as well as the wider community, are invited to attend the official opening.

Submissions close to draft Annual Plan 2008/09

Council will meet on Thursday 22 May 2008 to hear verbal submissions to its draft Annual Plan 2008/09.

Submissions to the draft Annual Plan closed on Friday 2 May after being released for submission a month ago. We received 44 submissions, with 15 submitters indicating they wish to speak to their submissions.

Commonly raised submission topics include roading upgrades, recycling, fluoridation and requests for funding (or continuation of funding) for various community projects and/or initiatives.

The draft Annual Plan Hearing will be held at the Council Chambers on Thursday 22 May from 9am. Council will then meet again on Thursday 5 June to consider all submissions and debate changes to the draft Annual Plan, before adopting the final Annual Plan and ‘striking the rates’ on Thursday 19 June.

Council to contribute to feasibility study for proposed Tapanui medical centre

Council has agreed to raise a loan of no greater than $80,000 for the purposes of West Otago Health Ltd to undertake development of plans and a feasibility study for proposed new health facilities in Tapanui.

West Otago Health Ltd have proposed to redevelop the former Tapanui Hospital for the redeployment of existing services and new services including (but not limited to) a residential care facility for the aged; respite care; residential care for palliative or chronically ill individuals; and to incorporate the Presbyterian Support Otago Dependant Cottages already onsite.

The West Otago Community Board has also requested Council make an amendment to its Annual Plan 2008-09 so that, if requested, Council will undertake the necessary consultation and processes required to make changes to the 2006-16 Long Term Plan to allow it to provide funding to West Otago Health Ltd for the development of the proposed health centre. Whether Council will provide any funding for the development of the proposed centre itself, will depend on the further information from the feasibility study and consultation. 

Water, fire restrictions lifted

The onset of cooler weather saw the normal ‘Stage One – Summer Mode’ watering restrictions, which had been in place for the entire district, lifted last month. 

The restrictions had been in place since December 2007, and we will look at re-establishing these seasonal restrictions if weather conditions dictate again next summer.

Council has a standardised three-stage system of water restrictions to encourage efficient use of water during summer months. The ‘Stage One – Summer Mode’ restriction means watering is restricted to between 8pm and 8am only; while Stages Two and Three ban sprinklers and hoses respectively. Usually, only Stage One restrictions are necessary in the Clutha District.

While many of the district’s water schemes have plentiful sources, restrictions are standard during times of high demand because the treatment plants and pipe capacity of the schemes restrict the amount of water that can be delivered to consumers.

Despite the lifting of water restrictions, consumers are still urged to avoid wasting water at all times and to report leaks, as any loss represents a cost to Council ratepayers.

The status of water restrictions and urgent water messages, such as boil and conservation notices, are constantly available on our website by clicking here

Meanwhile, the restricted fire season which had also been in place for the entire district was revoked on 23 April.

An open burning season is now in effect, except for those areas within a radius of one kilometre from Ernslaw One Forests (Southern Rural Fire District) and Department of Conservation land, and within 500m of Wenita and City Forests plantations. Permits to burn in these fire safety margins are still required and should be obtained from the Rural Fire Authority for that area.

The current fire season status is also constantly available on our website by clicking here.

Job / Study opportunity with Clutha District Council

Council is currently seeking a Roading Maintenance Cadet to join our friendly team based in Balclutha.

This role will be ideal for someone willing to learn and develop new practical and theory based skills and assist with the supervision of roading maintenance and other minor projects, all while beginning, or continuing, your tertiary studies!

If you have sound English and Maths skills are keen to study towards a tertiary qualification such as a Degree or Diploma in Engineering, then we want to hear from you. Study leave will be made available for the successful applicant making this a rare but exciting opportunity for someone willing to put in the hard yards.

If this sounds like you, then go to our website to download an application form, or give us a call on 03 419 0200, text us on 021 0257 7570, or email jules.witt@cluthadc.govt.nz to find out more. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 30 May 2008.

More information, including a full description is available on our website by clicking here. 

Community embracing Clutha Country spirit

Eighteen months after the launch of the ‘Clutha Country – Where Everyone Says Hello’ district branding, the community continues to support and utilise the popular catch-cry at every opportunity.

Promotional material purchased to support the brand launch in November 2006 has become so popular with community groups and organisations that the material has now virtually run out.

Promotional material such as t-shirts, pens, postcards and brochures is made available for free to approved groups for community events which help promote the district – both to tourists and to locals.

Due to the popularity of the material, Council’s District Development Board has approved expenditure on new Clutha Country promotional material including A4 Presentation Folders and Thank-You cards. Presentation folders are highly sought after as the basis for conference and meeting packs, and will give Clutha Country an excellent profile to both visitors and residents of the district. Thank-you cards are often required in follow-up circumstances and provide another opportunity to profile the brand.

The next step in the Clutha Country branding campaign is the construction of a further two district boundary signs to be located at Rae’s Junction, and at the Gore and Clutha district boundaries; and the construction of a further five ‘secondary’ boundary signs at Taieri Mouth, the Chaslands Highway (The Catlins), on the Clinton-Mataura road, between Rae’s Junction and Tapanui, and on the West Otago road near Landslip Road.  

More information on how individuals, community groups, and businesses can utilise the Clutha Country brand is available on our website by clicking here

Creative Communities NZ Funding Scheme

Applications for financial assistance under the Creative Communities Scheme are still being called for.  Funding is available for distribution to arts and cultural activities within the Clutha District Council area.  The scheme is designed to increase access and participation in the arts through the support of local arts activities.  Groups or individuals who have a specific arts and cultural project in mind should get in touch with us to check the funding criteria.  Applications close on Friday 30 May 2008.

For application forms or further information on these funding schemes, please visit our website by clicking here. Alternatively, you can contact the main Council administration office on 03 419 0200, or drop into your nearest Service Centre for more.

Community Directory

If the contact details of your sports club or community organisation have recently changed, please email jamie.shaw@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