1% - Waikato District Council

6NAVIGATING THE FUTURE | WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCILCommunity consultationWhat you value for your communitiesIn the first part of 2011, we asked you what you wanted yourcommunities to be like in the future as part of the review ofour district’s community outcomes. This feedback summedup what you think is most important when considering thecommunity’s well-being socially, environmentally, culturally andeconomically.As a result of this consultation, five community outcomeswere developed. These reflect what you’ve said are mostimportant to you for your community. While these are youroutcomes, they will guide what the council does as we work inpartnership to help achieve what you want.Community outcomesHow we identified the community outcomesOur community outcomes review had an extra dimensionbecause there were two different sets of outcomes beingreviewed – Waikato district’s and the former Franklin district’s.We held 14 public workshops across the district, workingwith community boards and community committees, betweenJanuary and March 2011. A community outcomes survey wassent to ratepayers in our Feb-Mar 2011 Link newsletter invitingwritten feedback.Other external organisations and marae committees werealso contacted and invited to take part in the workshops or toprovide written feedback. Separate workshops were held withWaikato-Tainui Iwi and Huakina Iwi Management Committees.In the future, these community outcomes will form part ofthe reviews of community plans and the council’s planningdocuments.Accessible WaikatoA district where the community’s access to transportinfrastructure and technology meets its needs.• The district is easy and safe to get around and the roadnetwork is well maintained• Transport infrastructure, including walkways and cycleways, isdeveloped at a rate to keep pace with growth and demand• The strategic importance of the Waikato Expressway isrecognised and occurs with priority, and its effects areplanned for and mitigated where necessary• Improved opportunities for the use of public transport areprovided and the provision of rail is encouraged• Essential services, like power and telecommunications, areaccessible.Sustainable WaikatoA district where growth is managed effectively and naturalresources are protected and developed for future generations.• The council’s decisions and processes take into accountaffordability for the community• Strategies are in place to ensure the impact of growth on therural nature of the district is minimised• Sustainable growth in appropriate locations beneficial to thedistrict is encouraged• The council encourages the protection of the district’snatural assets, landforms, wetlands and waterways fromadverse effects• The council supports environmental initiatives undertaken byorganisations and individuals involved in environmental care• The council works closely with Waikato Regional Councilto manage plant and animal pests• Recycling and waste management initiatives are supported• Neighbourhoods are attractive, well designed and safe.Thriving WaikatoThe council’s processes encourage the continuity of existingbusinesses and the establishment of new businesses andindustry• The benefits of tourism to the district are acknowledged andencouraged through the council’s processes and local andregional initiatives• The protection and preservation of cultural and naturalheritage sites is encouraged• Town and village centres are developed sustainably• The district encourages a wide range of sporting, cultural andcommunity activities and events• The diversity of the district’s people and culture is recognised.Healthy WaikatoA district with services and activities that promote a healthycommunity.• The council’s potable water supplies conform to establishedpublic health standards• The council’s wastewater systems support and promote safeand sanitary conditions• The community has access to quality recreation and leisurefacilities• The council encourages community involvement in sportingand leisure activities.Safe WaikatoA district where people feel safe and supported within theircommunities.• Residents feel safe in their community• Appropriate lighting is provided for parks, reserves, roads andpublic places• Infrastructure projects take account of public safety and thecouncil works with external agencies and the community tomaintain and improve safety• Emergency management structures are in place to deal withdisasters and key contacts and plans are well communicated• Community education, including road safety and graffitireduction, is undertaken by the council.