Have your say on our future

Vanessa van Uden

Since 2009, the year we adopted the 10-year plan, I have been part of a steering group of councillors and council staff that has been working on producing a better, more affordable plan in 2012.

The process can be confusing.

Let's just say that every three years the council adopts a 10-year plan.

Next April, we will have a draft plan and we will be actively seeking community input.

One of the things we will be working on is figuring out what the big issues are. Those are the things the council can change, the things that should be debated by our community and the things that are important.

They should be things that will improve what the council does, how it does it and when.

And they will be things that will improve the experience of living in Wakatipu.

It's a lot to think on and that's why we would like your help.

Before we make a decision on what the big issues are, we want to hear from you.

It's a different way of doing things.

For the council, it's about listening rather than assuming.

This week, the council launched an online survey.

If you are not online, then you can call us or post us a letter.

The important thing is that you take a few days to think about it and then a few minutes to tell us what's important to you.

Tell us what the big issues are for you, your family, your household, your place of work and your place of play.

Some of the big issues are provided by other agencies, such as health, or education, or determined by what's in your pay packet. We still have a role to play, through advocacy or lobbying or simply providing information.

Other big issues will be around what the council funds or doesn't fund. It's a blank canvas that will help us to shape the conversation we will have next year.

I'm really looking forward to finding out your view.

The online survey will be open until Friday, September 2.

Have your say.