Publics on the Draft Waitaki Community Plan to start soon

This Thursday night, Omarama will host the first of six public meetings that are being held around the District over the next few weeks to discuss the Waitaki District Council’s draft ten year plan – the Waitaki Community Plan 2009-19.

The other five meetings are to be held in Otematata, Oamaru, Five Forks, Hampden and Palmerston.

The Council’s Strategy Group Manager, Richard Mabon, said the meetings are an opportunity for local residents and ratepayers to hear more information about the draft plan and ask questions.

“There will be councillors, community board members and officers at the meetings who will talk about the key issues and answer questions. It’s a great chance for the community to hear more about the important issues that will affect the District over the next ten years.”

Mr Mabon said that there will be a short presentation at each meeting and then the rest of the time will be dedicated to answering questions from the audience.

“There is a lot of detailed information behind many of the proposals and policies in the draft plan. The public meetings allow members of the community to hear about more about what the proposals and policies involve, and how they might impact on them directly as residents and ratepayers.”

The Council is encouraging as many people as possible to have their say on the draft plan by making a submission. Mr Mabon said that the public meetings are an important part of the consultation process and are informative and helpful for anyone wanting to make a submission.

Submissions to the Draft Waitaki Community Plan close on Wednesday, 22 April.

The public meetings will start at 7.00pm on the following dates:

· Omarama – Fire Station Hall, Thursday 26 March
· Otematata –Lakes Centre, Monday 30 March
· Oamaru – Oamaru Club, Thursday, 2 April
· Palmerston – Palmerston Sports Hall, Tuesday, 7 April
· Hampden – Community Hall, Wednesday, 8 April
· Five Forks – Community Hall, Thursday, 9 April