Selwyn_Times: October 04, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday October 4 2023
16
OPINION
Council’s top five priorities
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LAYBY WELCOME
Mayor Sam Broughton
outlines what the
district council
wants from the next
government
AS OUR country prepares
for election day and we await
the result of conversations
between parties following
coalition talks, our council has
pulled together a list of five
priorities we know we need
the new government,
regardless of party, to
prioritise for Selwyn.
Locally, we have had a very
successful decade with GDP
growth the highest in the
country, job creation very
high and consumer spending
again well above New Zealand
averages. In our fast-changing
community, there is a lot we
can, and have had to do for
ourselves.
This has been paid for
through rates, contributions
from developers, council
investments and some
borrowing. However, the
responsibility for many of the
big projects required to be
delivered sits with the New
Zealand Government and
needs national funding.
Aotearoa is one of the most
centralised countries in the
OECD, meaning that most
Sam
Broughton
Selwyn Mayor
of the decision-making and
money sits in Wellington.
Councils combined have
less than 10 per cent of
total central government
spending. I think this stifles
New Zealand’s ability to
serve the needs of our local
communities, overlooks
valuable local knowledge and
often results in decisions that
support short-term political
interests rather than good
long-term local outcomes.
I want whoever wins
the election in October to
focus beyond their tenure,
implement a four-year election
FLOODING: The
district council
is calling
for serious
government
investment
in flood
prevention as
one of its five
priorities.
cycle, and prioritise future
generations while delivering
the necessities of today.
I’m not standing about
and hoping for the best. Our
council has put together what
we consider to be the top five
priorities for our district,
and I’ve been talking them
through with the Selwyn
candidates. I’m pleased that
they have been so receptive.
I have always been big on
partnerships, and we know
from experience that this
is the best way to achieve
our desired outcomes; our
priorities are calling on the
next government to work with
us and build on existing work.
Our list calls for a 24/7
health service provision
and improved access to
mental health services in
Selwyn, especially for our
young people and in rural
communities. We want
serious co-investment with the
regional council to tackle flood
prevention. We need at least
200 publicly owned homes
across the district to meet the
needs of our rapidly growing
population. We’re also seeking
improved co-investment to
fix our roads and for more
frequent public transport,
including new routes between
our townships. Finally, we
want an intergenerational
approach to restoring Te
Waihora Lake Ellesmere to a
healthy state.
There are also many other
areas of investment where we
welcome government support,
including education, defence,
corrections, and policing.
I have sent our list to all
major political party leaders
and welcome discussion with
them following October 14
to ensure the best long-term
local outcomes for our Selwyn
community as a growing
influence for good on the rest
of New Zealand.
• Readers’ letters, page 18
Be a voice for youth in Selwyn!
Get involved, support your community,
and be a part of the change!
Apply now at selwyn.govt.nz/youthcouncil.
Applications are open 1 to 31 October.
SelwynYouth
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