What's happening in your community Mayors welcome National Party announcement on water reform Mayors have welcomed the recent announcement of a water reform policy that better protects property rights and local voice. Communities 4 Local Democracy He hapori mo te Manapori (C4LD) chairs Manawatu Mayor Helen Worboys and Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon welcomed the announcement of the National Party's policy for water reform by Leader of the Opposition, Christopher Luxon "Although we will carry out a more detailed review in conjunction with C4LD members, at first look, National's policy appears to meet all of our requirements for common sense water infrastructure reform that can gain broad support, said Mayor Worboys "In particular it retains local ownership and avoids the confiscation of local assets and stripping of local influence at the core of the Government's present policy "Recently the High Court confirmed that the Government's policy expropriates, without compensation, community assets. This makes a nonsense of claims that communities will retain ownership of these assets." Mayor Gordon said that on the face of it, the plan aligns with our position on placing local control and voice back at the centre of community water services and puts the right measures in place to ensure overall accountability. "We feel there is sufficient rigour in the proposed regulatory regime, and with Taumata Arowai now in place, to ensure that council water services will meet the needs of their communities and can evolve to meet the challenges of climate change in an affordable manner," he said. "At first glance, this seems a sensible and appropriate response to genuine concerns about the state of water infrastructure in New Zealand. "It recognises that different areas are in different positions and it encourages regional collaboration to address these differing needs. This approach ensures that local knowledge of complex systems is valued, rather than the Wellington knows best system being proposed "The announcement by the opposition is in line with the strong community support for ownership, influence and effective control staying with their local Council. "On reform as important as this is it would be ideal for there to be cross-party support, and we are encouraged by the Government's recent call to take a fresh look at their model. "Our hope is that party politics can be put aside and we can work together to get a pragmatic. workable solution. "Our door is always open to work together on a sensible plan that builds consensus and works for everyone. WAIMAKARIRI DISTRICT COUNCIL LET'S TALK M About Pegasus Community Centre Council has been considering options for a new facility to service the Pegasus community and growing District We have two locations being considered and want to know which location you prefer for a future Pegasus Community Centre Have your say before 5pm Wednesday 15 March at walmakariri.govt.nz/letstalk Temporary Road Closure Raven Quay, Kaiapoi The Council has received an application to temporarily close the following road for the period shown for the Kaiapoi River Festival. Road to be closed Raven Quay from Williams Street to Bowler Street. Period of Closure 10am-6pm, 1 April 2023 Detours will be in place. This closure is made in accordance with Section 11(e) of the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974 and will apply to all vehicular traffic with the exception of the Fire Service, Ambulance, Police, Council vehicles and other vehicles authorised by the Council. Celebrating different cultures Poster competition Use paint, crayons, felt pens, or coloured pencils to show what celebrating different cultures means to you as part of Race Unity Day 21 March 2023. Great prizes! For age groups 5-17. Drop entries to any Waimakariri Library or the Rangiora Service Centre by 3pm, 22 March. Find out more at: waimakariri.govt.nz/competition WHAT YOU DO, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE VOLUNTEER EXPO Celebrating Volunteering. Displays and activities by local groups. Find out how you can make a difference. Kalapol Library-Saturday 18 March 10am-12pm Pegasus Community Centre Friday 24 March Spm-7pm -Rangiora Library Saturday 25 March 10am-12pm waimakariri.govt.nz What's happening in your community Mayors welcome National Party announcement on water reform Mayors have welcomed the recent announcement of a water reform policy that better protects property rights and local voice . Communities 4 Local Democracy He hapori mo te Manapori ( C4LD ) chairs Manawatu Mayor Helen Worboys and Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon welcomed the announcement of the National Party's policy for water reform by Leader of the Opposition , Christopher Luxon " Although we will carry out a more detailed review in conjunction with C4LD members , at first look , National's policy appears to meet all of our requirements for common sense water infrastructure reform that can gain broad support , said Mayor Worboys " In particular it retains local ownership and avoids the confiscation of local assets and stripping of local influence at the core of the Government's present policy " Recently the High Court confirmed that the Government's policy expropriates , without compensation , community assets . This makes a nonsense of claims that communities will retain ownership of these assets . " Mayor Gordon said that on the face of it , the plan aligns with our position on placing local control and voice back at the centre of community water services and puts the right measures in place to ensure overall accountability . " We feel there is sufficient rigour in the proposed regulatory regime , and with Taumata Arowai now in place , to ensure that council water services will meet the needs of their communities and can evolve to meet the challenges of climate change in an affordable manner , " he said . " At first glance , this seems a sensible and appropriate response to genuine concerns about the state of water infrastructure in New Zealand . " It recognises that different areas are in different positions and it encourages regional collaboration to address these differing needs . This approach ensures that local knowledge of complex systems is valued , rather than the Wellington knows best system being proposed " The announcement by the opposition is in line with the strong community support for ownership , influence and effective control staying with their local Council . " On reform as important as this is it would be ideal for there to be cross - party support , and we are encouraged by the Government's recent call to take a fresh look at their model . " Our hope is that party politics can be put aside and we can work together to get a pragmatic . workable solution . " Our door is always open to work together on a sensible plan that builds consensus and works for everyone . WAIMAKARIRI DISTRICT COUNCIL LET'S TALK M About Pegasus Community Centre Council has been considering options for a new facility to service the Pegasus community and growing District We have two locations being considered and want to know which location you prefer for a future Pegasus Community Centre Have your say before 5pm Wednesday 15 March at walmakariri.govt.nz/letstalk Temporary Road Closure Raven Quay , Kaiapoi The Council has received an application to temporarily close the following road for the period shown for the Kaiapoi River Festival . Road to be closed Raven Quay from Williams Street to Bowler Street . Period of Closure 10 am-6pm , 1 April 2023 Detours will be in place . This closure is made in accordance with Section 11 ( e ) of the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974 and will apply to all vehicular traffic with the exception of the Fire Service , Ambulance , Police , Council vehicles and other vehicles authorised by the Council . Celebrating different cultures Poster competition Use paint , crayons , felt pens , or coloured pencils to show what celebrating different cultures means to you as part of Race Unity Day 21 March 2023 . Great prizes ! For age groups 5-17 . Drop entries to any Waimakariri Library or the Rangiora Service Centre by 3pm , 22 March . Find out more at : waimakariri.govt.nz/competition WHAT YOU DO , CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE VOLUNTEER EXPO Celebrating Volunteering . Displays and activities by local groups . Find out how you can make a difference . Kalapol Library - Saturday 18 March 10 am-12pm Pegasus Community Centre Friday 24 March Spm - 7pm -Rangiora Library Saturday 25 March 10 am-12pm waimakariri.govt.nz