Submissions respectfully given

WELL-prepared submissions that were respectfully presented impressed Manawatu District Mayor Margaret Kouvelis during last week’s public hearings on the Manawatu District Council’s Draft Long Term Plan 2012/2022.

Nearly 200 submissions were received for the LTP, with 86 individuals, businesses and groups speaking to their submission during the three days of hearings.

Mrs Kouvelis said there were some excellent submissions on the proposed rate increases, with the “stand-outs” centred on the rural ratepayers’ reaction to the changes.

“They were well researched and thorough in terms of analysis,” she said, “and carefully worded and respectful around the areas of fairness and affordability.”

Mrs Kouvelis reserved mention for the submission by Federated Farmers’ Manawatu/Rangitikei president Andrew Hoggard who was silently joined in the council chamber by about 40 supporters for the presentation.

“He certainly enjoyed impressive support, with the silence from the group very powerful, and I’m sure it made the impression on councillors that they were intending to make.”

She said there had also been some creative and passionate submissions on Kitchener Park and the environment in general and a number of exciting and innovative responses on community planning in regard to council’s “Village Vision”.

“That was really encouraging as overall we got very positive support for our ‘vision’ statements.”

Mrs Kouvelis was impressed at the response by many communities after being challenged by council to air their concerns and suggestions in the form of a submission.

“There was a wide range of topics presented and council appreciated the people who took the time to not only write up a submission but to come and present it.”

Mrs Kouvelis said she enjoyed her first experience at overseeing the public consultative process and was “very mindful of the enormous responsibility, as a governing body, that we have for the impact on ratepayers’ lives”.

Council is now deliberating the issues and scheduled to formerly adopt the Long Term Plan at its June meeting.

Community Services Group Manager Brent Limmer agreed the quality of submissions was high and that the presenters had acquitted themselves well.

“It was a process that ran smoothly and council got through its work at a good rate,” he said.

Mr Limmer said all submissions were being carefully considered by council so it was in position to make some “good decisions”.