People may still get
the chance to quiz Waitaki District Council representatives
about the 2012-22 long-term plan and projected rates rises.
The council is looking into having a "question and answer"
session at the Oamaru Public Library using rostered
councillors and staff throughout a day as one way of
publicising the plan.
It used to conduct road shows around the district in each of
its four wards - Oamaru, Corriedale, Ahuriri and Waihemo -
but stopped last year because of poor attendances, staff and
councillors outnumbering the public at some meetings.
At the public forum before a council meeting earlier this
month, ratepayer and Grey Power president Louisa Burrell
suggested the idea of a day at the Oamaru library to
publicise and answer questions about the plan.
She accepted the road shows were no longer warranted, but
councillors rostered over a day would give people the chance
to ask questions about the plan.
Councillors felt that was a good idea, and have asked staff
to investigate the possibility.
Councillors and staff will be available to speak to
stakeholders and groups who request it. More than 90 parties
have been notified of that opportunity.
It is printing about 12,000 copies of a newsletter -
"Tomorrow's World, Choosing Your Future" - to be sent to all
ratepayers which will highlight the major issues in the plan
and encourage public submissions, which will include examples
of the effects on rates.
In the past, it has sent individual ratepayers a sample of
their new rates under the draft plan, but is unable to do
that this year because of implementation of a new computer
system.
Copies of the draft plan will be available for people to look
at the council headquarters, libraries and service centres
and on its website. Because of the size and cost, copies will
not be printed unless requested.
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