Local body elections: Mayoral candidates’ statements
Victoria Davis
If you want a halt to escalating rates and massive council borrowing, more delegated authorities for community boards, and some exciting sustainable ideas for our region, please support my stand for Mayor of our district.
Thirty years in New Zealand and 26 years in Golden Bay, I am confident that I could deliver the best for us all as Mayor. My announcement to run made the front page of The Nelson Mail and acknowledged my widespread and well-known reputation as an environmentalist that makes things happen.
I have worked with council on environmental campaigns and cycling/walking strategies. I am very experienced with the workings of council. As well as BLIP, and the plastic shopping bag reduction campaign, I instigated and managed the Totally Local Market Fairs.
I am standing for Mayor because I believe there is a strong desire for more transparency, better communication and more effective and efficient use of rates.
I also see a great opportunity for our district to benefit from having a forward-thinking Mayor with a sense of vision. After listening to many submitters at council hearings, I can see there are substantial common threads that could weave a great vision for our unique, creative community.
We all want a prosperous, clean, safe, vibrant community that looks after its young and old. We need to keep rates increases to a minimum to prevent the exodus of those who cannot afford big hikes.
I have ideas to keep rates down by implementing waste reduction campaigns which will deliver cost savings and positive media attention, which is also good for tourism.
We can generate more revenue from our tourist sector, without ruining the very peace and quiet that our visitors enjoy, by implementing a “Have a Go” website link offering everything from arts tuition to tree planting, enhancing the visitors’ experience and generating more revenue.
If we support a cycle trail over the underutilised inland Abel Tasman National Park, made of recycled crushed glass, and offering funky, sustainable huts reflecting our arts and care for the environment, we would create enjoyable jobs, and have a world-class facility to be proud of.
We would not need to impose unfair tourist levies to pay for overseas advertising, as the growing demand for safe places to cycle with a family would, like the Otago Rail, attract substantial numbers year-round.
I can give you examples where tens of thousands of dollars of our rates have been wasted because of poor communication. In Collingwood and Pohara, expensive sets of plans that did not reflect the communities’ needs were rejected. These unnecessary and expensive mistakes need not happen if there is meaningful, respectful dialogue between the community boards and council.
We need a Mayor who is strong and dedicated to delivering the very best.
Richard Kempthorne
Main election issues:
Effective engagement between the Golden Bay community and the council is one of the most important issues. I have spent considerable time and effort to establish and maintain a good relationship with the Golden Bay Community Board. At times there are challenges but I am committed to continue to build an effective and enduring relationship with the board and all board members. Despite the challenges, I have enjoyed working with the board members. I appreciate the work they do and their importance for successful engagement between the Golden Bay community and the council.
Another main issue is keeping rates increases as low as possible, while delivering the core services (roading, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, etc) to an acceptable standard. The use of debt is an essential component of keeping rates increases down; however we need to continually review the level of debt to ensure it stays within fiscally prudent levels.
The Waimea Plains is critically short of water, and I support the Waimea Water Users Committee (WWAC) feasibility study looking at the Lee Valley dam to capture peak flows and release water during times of water shortage. I support the WWAC study at this critical stage, establishing an ownership structure and appropriate funding model.
Another key issue is for me to continue leading our council so that it is connected to and supportive of our community. I also need to have a good connection with Mayors of other districts and do my part to make local government effective for New Zealand.
Why Golden Bay voters should support me:
It is my desire to be a great Mayor for the whole district, be approachable and available to everyone. I like working with and helping people and I will use my leadership ability for everyone’s benefit. I am available for those in Golden Bay who would like my help. I will continue to put all my energy into having a great working relationship with the Golden Bay community and Community Board.
What I will do if elected:
Early in the new term of council, representatives of council will be meeting with board members from Golden Bay and Motueka, and with the Community Councils and Residents Associations to review our working relationships and identify changes to enable improvement. With community boards this will include reviewing the targeted rates, delegations and identifying ways to improve advocacy by the boards for their communities.
I will continue to effectively protect the long-term quality of our environment while encouraging innovative business development. This is a balancing act, but very important for the long-term viability and development of our district
I will also continue to work for a business-friendly council, aiming to reduce unnecessary costs and timeframes.
Ted O’Regan
My primary reason for standing is concern at the impact of recent rate increases and the further increases implicit in the rapidly burgeoning council debt.
In the current economy this has serious consequences throughout the Tasman District, but is perhaps shown in more stark relief in the reported 18 percent rate increase over the last two years for the beleaguered Joan Whiting Rest Home. Those who advocate further council debt should ponder this effect and how many other marginal operations are near their limits.
The Joan Whiting is the hot topic at the moment, highlighting the plight of rural communities in trying to maintain essential services. It is imperative that the facility is retained until the proposed integrated facility is built.
This leads to the question of the Medical Centre Trust and its relationship to the proposed integrated facility. I understand the council is the legal owner of the land and buildings, but I recognise that the trust was set up and fully funded by the people of Golden Bay.
Upon becoming Mayor I intend to immediately ask for a report setting out the position with emphasis on who is to build and who is to operate the proposed facility. We have to be careful that the proposal is financially, legally and practicably robust. Any proposed sale of the medical centre must be advertised for submissions before the fact and the advertisement include a clear outline of the entire proposition.
I oppose the current proposition to amalgamate Nelson and Tasman because the Local Electoral Act would further disenfranchise rural areas like Golden Bay. If that Act was amended to provide a significant area factor in representation, then I may review my stance, but bigger is not necessarily more efficient and usually results in more remote bureaucracy and less local involvement.
The question of further powers for your community board is likewise constrained by the Local Government Act. However, the board may have an advisory function and council should see that it is funded equitably.
I am proposing to have each branch of council’s operations independently reviewed, starting with the urban water supply where huge cost increases have been recently indicated.
I also propose to rigorously review council’s debt program. However, I draw a distinction between debt funded by ratepayers and debt funded by direct users such as proposed at Tarakohe.
I served three previous terms on council, during which I chaired many hearings in Golden Bay. I have considerable knowledge of the locality, an ability to listen, to question dispassionately, and to arrive at reasoned decisions based on the evidence presented.
