I am passionate about the future of South Wairarapa, being born in Greytown and moving to Martinborough in 2001 when I became the Sole Charge Police Constable for the area.
In 2019, I stood for the Martinborough Community Board after I and others were dissatisfied with the condition and management of Pain Estate.
In the last 3 years, MCB has listened to community concerns on a number of matters; such as Innovating Streets, Rural Roading, the Rate increases, Coastal campgrounds, Hinakura Hill Road and many other issues, debating them with the Council, however there are many other matters that still need to be addressed such as road safety, lighting around Martinborough, rate increases/affordability amongst others.
Expenditure and expenses all need to be kept under control so that rate increases do not balloon out of control again. Our ratepayers fund SWDC to the tune of $21 million and Council needs to listen and be mindful of the impact these increases have right across our communities.
Priorities need to be set for drinking water, sewage, storm water, infastructure and roading, but all other projects outside the above are nice to haves and can be reviewed once our critical infrastructure has improved.
Three Waters is inevitable, however, the proposed structure is not fit for purpose. There will be a solution out there that will suit both Councils and communities, not just the current proposal that has been dictated to us. SWDC has contracted out of running its own water infrastructure and the Wellington Water partnership is problematic, so the challenge in the next three years is to identify a better model.
In the coming 3 years, I will provide a strong voice at the Council table for both rural and urban Martinborough residents for these matters and would welcome the opportunity to be your representative.
