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:

Public comment sought on Draft Long Term Plan – Have you had your say?

Submissions will soon be closing on the Clutha District Council’s draft Long Term Plan 2009-19, outlining major projects and services proposed for the district over the next decade.

A summary newsletter of the draft plan, titled ‘Mapping Our Direction’, was distributed throughout the district last week, and mailed to non-resident ratepayers.

The summary newsletter outlined those key issues being proposed in the draft plan including a comprehensive recycling service, a proposed recreation centre, upgrades to urban water and sewerage services, and changes to rates.

The newsletter also contains a questionnaire on those key issues, and a submission form to help people to have their say on what is being proposed.

Over 130 questionnaires have already been filled out and returned to Council, while more than a dozen submissions relating to specific Council projects and/or services have also been received to date.

Council urges anyone who has an opinion, good or bad, on what is outlined in the plan to fill in a questionnaire and/or submission form and let us know their view. Responses will be presented to councillors to help them consider the community’s response and what changes should be made to the draft plan.

Additional copies of the summary newsletter, including questionnaires and submission forms, and copies of the full draft plan are available from all Council offices, services centres and libraries, or on the Council website by clicking here

Submissions and questionnaire responses close at 5pm on Friday 22 May 2009. 

Submissions are still being called for on our Draft Long Term Plan 2009-19, setting out the major projects and services Council intends to deliver over the next 10 years.

Key issues in the draft Long Term Plan

Several key issues are highlighted in the plan. These include:

·         Recycling: Council plans to introduce recycling drop-off centres, kerbside recycling and an organic waste collection over the next four years. This comes at a cost, but in response to community demand, new legislation and a general desire to improve our environment.

·         Drinking Water upgrades: Council has received substantial government assistance to upgrade drinking water supplies in Balclutha, Kaitangata, Lawrence and Tapanui.

·         Sewerage Upgrades: Increasingly stringent conditions means Council is required to upgrade many of its sewage treatment and disposal systems over the next decade. This will have a major impact on rates, particularly for Kaka Point and Lawrence over the next few years.

·         Harmonisation: Council is keen to hear whether there is support for this concept, which would see water and sewerage consumers pay up to $16 a year to save up to $260 a year for those smaller communities facing very high water and/or sewerage rates.

·         Changes to the rating system: Council is proposing to change the way it rates for Community Services to more fairly distribute the rates impact for these services.

·         Sustainability of swimming pools: Council-owned pools in Balclutha, Kaitangata, Lawrence and Milton are facing costly maintenance just to keep them open. Council wants to know whether these communities are keen to retain and upgrade their swimming pools, or whether they would consider other options, such as taking community ownership of the facilities, in order to reduce rates.

·         Balclutha Main Street: Council is considering a facelift for Baclutha’s main street to help make the district a more attractive place for people to live.

·         Clutha Recreation Centre: Council is proposing to contribute a grant of $1.2 million to the proposed Clutha Recreation Centre, which would have up to six indoor netball courts that could be used for other indoor sports such as tennis, soccer, volleyball, basketball and cricket.

A 12-page summary newsletter of the Draft Long Term Plan was delivered throughout the district via post and the Clutha Leader, and by mail to non-residential ratepayers. The summary document, the full Draft Long Term Plan and submission forms are also available from your nearest Council office or on our website by clicking here.

Submissions close 5pm, Friday 22 May 2009.

Long Term Plan process timetable

New pool mooted for Lawrence; public meeting to discuss Kaitangata pool, hall

A public meeting held in Lawrence last week unanimously supported investigations to build a swimming pool in a new location in the town, while a public meeting will be held in Kaitangata on Thursday 14 May to discuss the future of its swimming pool and community hall.

The discussions are being held as part of consultation on Council’s Draft Long Term Plan.

The current pool in Lawrence is facing over $300,000 worth of maintenance work over the next decade just to remain open. With these significant costs facing the Lawrence pool, and due to the fact it is only open for four months of the year, those who attended the public meeting felt it was time to investigate the possibility of a new modern heated swimming pool for Lawrence. The meeting voted unanimously to set up a working party to undertake the investigations.

Meanwhile, a public meeting in Kaitangata on Thursday 17 May will look at various options for the future of the Kaitangata swimming pool and community hall, which are also facing large maintenance bills over the next few years. The meeting will essentially ask three main questions:

• Does the community wish to retain and swimming pool and/or community hall?
• If a swimming pool and/or community hall is retained, would the community consider taking ownership of the pool and/or hall and use volunteers in order to reduce costs for local ratepayers?
• Or is it time to cease having a swimming pool and/or community hall in Kaitangata and thus provide an even bigger saving for local ratepayers?

The meeting will be held at the Kaitangata Town Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 14 May. All interested people are invited to attend.

Sign Language Taster Class

A New Zealand Sign Language Taster Class will be held at the Balclutha Library next week as part of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week.

NZSL Week is all about New Zealanders celebrating and promoting New Zealand Sign Language, which is an official language in New Zealand.

The ‘Taster’ class will be held at the Balclutha Library on Monday 18 May from 7pm. The class if free and all interested people are welcome to attend.

More information about the class is available by contacting Deaf Association of New Zealand community relations officer Rebecca Heperi on 03 477 1033 or the Balclutha Library on 03 418 1677.

Creative Communities NZ Funding Scheme

Applications for financial assistance for the fourth round of the Creative Communities NZ Funding scheme for 2008/09 are now being called for.

The 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.

Groups or individuals who have a specific arts 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 29 May 2009.

Community Directory

The Community Directory lists about 300 groups, committees, sports teams, and associations from throughout the district.

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

The Community Directory 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