[This is a purely fictitious tale, any resemblance to fact or persons alive or dead is totally coincidental.] As news of yet another Dam blowout reverberates around the district there appears to be more than crumbling rock at the heart of it. Signs are also evident of crumbling relationships as fingers are pointed at who should carry the cost. Mike (we are on … [Read More...]
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Rate Increases Ahead
It never ceases to amaze me how fiscal responsibility is not one of the top considerations in Council decisions. We have a global crisis on our hands, with countries … [Read More...]
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Positive Change?
Council is starting to get it’s teeth into setting policy with a review of the Tasman Regional Management Plan (TRMP) and preparing to set the direction for spending … [Read More...]
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Questions and Answers
Below are just some of the questions asked of the Council election candidates this year by various groups and organisations - along with my responses (often constrained by word limits). First up is the (lengthy) questionnaire by Policy Local which is the … [Read More...]
Transport
We need a transport network that will serve the needs of Tasman residents now and into the future. Everyone would like NZTA to sort out the State Highway issues through Richmond and into Nelson. We would also like to see the promised upgrade to Motueka … [Read More...]
Business
We have a strong primary production industry in Tasman that we need to support, but we need to encourage more value adding businesses. We need to encourage innovative technologies to support our traditional industries, encourage cottage industries and help … [Read More...]
Inclusive Council
Clear and honest communications. Responsibility for outcomes. Genuine Community Engagement. We need to get better at listening to the voices of Tasman residents. I have been a part of a council that published propaganda that was neither informative nor … [Read More...]
Housing
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY We urgently need to address the gap between wanting to promote intensification of housing to save productive rural land and the legislation that makes co-housing and tiny housing options so difficult. Co-housing and tiny housing … [Read More...]
Waimea Dam
I often get asked what my position on the Waimea Dam is. When we were first presented with a model for the Waimea Dam I voted in favour. At that point it was more-or-less a user-pays funding model. As time progressed the funding model shifted to a public … [Read More...]
Water
We grew up in Tasman with an abundance of freshwater, but times have changed. We need to get smarter with our water use. Houses need to install rainwater collection tanks, this increases resilience in the community, and it decreases the load on stormwater … [Read More...]