Changing hats – potentially? Greytown Ward councillor Alistair Plimmer is one of the first out the election blocks _ advising he will stand for the Wairarapa seat on Greater Wellington Regional Council. Councillor Plimmer is adamant “that the Regional Council is not reflecting the views and aspirations of the people of the Wairarapa, either in the towns or rurally.”
“I have spoken to many people across the district, watched with interest the Regional Council’s “management” of our rivers, and listened to the presentations by the Regional Council on our combined District Plan. I believe they are not taking our district seriously and have become a block to growth and reasonable development in Wairarapa.”
“I do not say this lightly. My view is based on my three years on the Combined District Plan Committee and my roles as chair of the Remutaka Road Users Forum and Hearings Representative for Wairarapa on the Greater Wellington Regional Transport Plan.”
“Nothing in my interaction with Greater Wellington Regional Council over the last six years has given me confidence that they understand the aspirations of … Wairarapa residents.” “It is time for a new broom. The challenge for me, if elected, will be to make the council both relevant and accountable to the district.”
Current GWRC rep. is Adrienne Staples, deputy chair of the regional body. She was formally mayor of South Wairarapa from 2004 to 2016, the first woman to fill the role.
Current South Wairarapa deputy mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter has signalled she will not (not) seek the mayoral job this election. She has yet to confirm whether she will seek a second term as a councillor.
Note: Local body candidate nominations close at Noon, 1 August.
