Plenty to benefit Wairarapa in 10 year plan

Wairarapa issues figure prominently in Greater Wellington’s Long Term Council Community Plan says Wairarapa councillor Ian Buchanan.

The proposed 10-year plan outlining council projects and spending was released for consultation on March 23, with public submissions due by 24 April. A summary of the plan was sent to every household in the region over the weekend.

Councillor Buchanan says the plan outlines existing and new initiatives for the region, with many that will benefit regional ratepayers in Wairarapa, and Greater Wellington is seeking feedback from all its communities.

Cr Buchanan says Wairarapa issues include projects to increase planting for erosion prone hill country, replace central government possum control projects that are winding up and the development of Wairarapa Moana (Lake Wairarapa, Lake Onoke and their associated wetlands) as a wetland park.

Greater Wellington is also planning a major upgrade of the flood protection works for the Waiohine Floodplain and Greytown, ongoing work in the lower Ruamahanga River and a new building for the Masterton office that will be an alternative Civil Defence Emergency Operating Centre for Wellington in the case of a major natural disaster.

“Greater Wellington thinks it has the right mix of projects that will promote quality for life for the region. As Wairarapa councillor, I am very interested in what ratepayers think of our priorities for spending their regional rate dollar. I will be holding meetings around Wairarapa over the next few weeks to discuss these priorities and how they will affect our community.”

Meetings will be held at: Tinui Hall, 24 March, 7pm; Tuturumuri School, 25 March, 7pm; Gladstone Complex, 26 March, 7.30pm; Greytown Town Hall, 6 April, 7pm; Whangaehu Hall, 7 April, 7pm; Mauriceville School Hall, 8 April, 7pm; Greater Wellington Masterton building, 15 April, 7pm.

“Greater Wellington deals with land management, flood protection, environmental management, pest control, public transport, emergency management and regional development. These issues are important to Wairarapa people. I urge all those who are interested to come to one of these meetings to find out what Greater Wellington is planning for the future and give me your views.”

Cr Buchanan says a public submission form is included with plan summary that was sent to all households.

“We’re looking forward to receiving lots of submissions and fine-tuning our 10-year plan to meet the needs of our communities.”