Clutha has been poised for growth for the past several years, but remains hamstrung by limited housing stock.
The council and private developers continue to work on housing options to address the longstanding issue of more jobs than workers, but much more needs to be done to seize the day. Newcomers to the council — of which there will be at least four — will need to hit the ground running and be prepared to work collegially with their fellow councillors in order to frame the next triennium as one where the district fulfils its lofty ambitions for economic expansion.
Question 1: How should the Clutha District Council address the ongoing housing deficit and propagate the district’s continued growth?
Question 2: What are your goals and priorities for the council?
BRYAN CADOGAN
Council: Clutha District Council.
Age: 62.
Occupation: Clutha mayor.
Question 1: I’m proud of our proactive and positive response to date in addressing housing shortages with initiatives like council’s profitable subdivisions and working with our communities on unique initiatives
like "Kai Build", supporting developers, creating construction capacity through Jobbortunities, and enhancing our "Living and Working" strategy to promote exciting and thriving communities with modern facilities that encourage growth, giving everyone the confidence that Clutha has a bright future that they want to contribute to.
Question 2: Top priority will be to use my experience and leadership skills to best navigate Clutha through the looming central government reforms.
I also want to continue the stability, cohesion and respect that is a hallmark of our council, where we listen to our communities’ needs and follow the will of the majority.
Containing rate rises in these inflationary times is crucial. I want to continue to work with youth, and attract staff to Clutha.
BRUCE GRAHAM
Council: Clutha District Council.
Ward: Kaitangata-Matau.
Age: 66.
Occupation: Retired engineering workshop supervisor.
Question 1: I would encourage communities to copy the Kaitangata house build template, a community-led, council-supported initiative. Support private development and try to streamline consent and permit processes.
Question 2: As there are some testing times ahead for councils and their communities I would work to reconnect with these communities to restore their trust in the council so that these issues can be confronted together. If people don’t trust you they won’t talk to you.
If they don’t talk to you, you don’t know what’s wrong. If you don’t know what’s wrong, you can’t fix it. It’s quite simple really.
CHRIS MCDONALD
Council: Clutha District Council.
Age: 40.
Occupation: Self-employed picture framer.
Question 1: The Clutha District Council should be committed to building more social housing in our district where needed most and look to partner with other social housing providers to help achieve this.
While it’s exciting to see new building projects pop up around the district, we need to ensure this growth is sustainable and have infrastructure in place first so current need is met as well as future demand.
Question 2: My main priority is to make sure the projects council undertake are delivering outcomes that our communities want. Having had a front-row seat for the Milton main street upgrade process, I know this isn’t always the case.
One of the biggest issues we face is climate change. While there is a need to keep discussing its long-term effects, we need to start taking practical steps now to protect and future-proof our communities.
GAIL OATS
Council: Clutha District Council.
Ward: Kaitangata-Matau.
Age: 62.
Occupation: Gardener.
Question 1: Housing deficit. There isn’t one. Bryan Cadogan appeared on TV One’s small towns feature saying there were hundreds of jobs and you could buy a house in town for $350,000.
Question 2: Get out of LGNZ and into local government for democracy to oppose Three Waters.
Protect the assets and resources of the Clutha district.
Retain the wealth of the Clutha district in the Clutha district.
Review the new civic centre build.
