01/03/2005

Local events keeps life humming in Otorohanga

It has been a very busy time since my last column - with many exciting local events happening including the Otorohanga County Fair, Kawhia Maori Kai Festival, Kiwi Trikers weekend and so on - it really is great to have the opportunity to share these times with you all.
Council's 2005 agenda is active too, as we are undertaking a number of inter-related community pIan processes.
Currently Otorohanga District Council is working with Environment Waikato and Waitomo District Council to draft a harbour management plan for Kawhia Harbour.
The rural community outcomes plan is being progressed by those people with a stake in the rural area. Running parallel with that is the Environment Waikato Regional `Choosing Futures' community plan.
It is easy to be sceptical of all these planning exercises council must undertake in today's political environment. However we are very aware of our responsibility to balance compliance with statutory requirements and providing cost effective responses on your behalf to these Acts.
Council is due to begin its estimates workshops to determine next year's work programme which will indicate future rates contributions.
Again, we are aware of our district's expectations and I am confident my council and community boards can produce an acceptable outcome to ensure the positive progress of our district continues at a fair and reasonable cost.
The Wintec Otorohanga Trades Training Centre: is due to open shortly with the first group of students enrolled to the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical and Engineering Level 2 course.
This is a very exciting project far the Otorohanga district as it will encourage our local people to receive their pre-employment training in a familiar environment and offer those employers who are growing their businesses an opportunity to source new staff from these pools of graduates.
I have been very proud of the support the businesses have given to this initiative and the strong response from the community - many other regions are very envious of the project and such is the interest from around the country, I have been asked to present a report to the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs Conference at Christchurch this month.
Otorohanga's Westridge residential subdivision is almost completed, with some 27 sections remaining available to purchase.
The design and location of this subdivision combined with very realistic pricing now provides those interested in quality sections and a brand new home an opportunity not
to be missed.
Finally, please note the Beattie Home Recreation Centre opening on March 4, Otorohanga Kiwiana Festival on March 12, Citizens Advice week March 14-20, KioKio School jubilee on March 18-20, Rotary Centenary March 22.

Instant fine for 'piggies'

Anyone who attempts to illegally offload rubbish in the Otorohanga district will be instantly fined following a string of large-scale dumps.
The issue was discussed during Otorohanga District Council's meeting last Tuesday.
Chief executive David Hall said the council was aware of several incidents during the past few months in which large amounts of rubbish were dumped illegally.
"There's has been some terrible dumping on the side of the road," said Mr Hall, with not only household rubbish, but also whiteware offloaded.
"The size and scale of the dumping means some of them have had to be off trucks."
Mayor Dale Williams said he was appalled at the scale of the problem.
"I can't believe how 'piggy' we've become. Any pull-off area and there is bag after bag of rubbish."'
Legal officer Judy Thompson suggested the council adopt a process under the Litter Act 1979 in which Local Government has the right to impose an instant $100 fine on anyone who illegally deposits litter in their district.
This includes anyone who illegally litters on public or private property, 'covering everything from dumping large amounts of waste or bags of household rubbish to throwing an item from a moving car or dropping it on the ground.
In order to impose a fine the council must have "reasonable grounds," including eyewitness accounts, which indicate people have been littering illegally.
If offenders fail to pay their fines, the issue is then handed over to the court.  Mr Hall said the new process signalled that council is now "taking a more proactive approach to the problem". "'The infringement is just another tool. If the word gets out that council is going to take this seriously: people may think twice."