Nominations open for Council elections

July 19th, 2013
[by David Armstrong]

Nominations opened today for people wanting to stand as candidates for local body elections to be held on or before October 12th, and the call is out for people to stand for Council and Community Board.

Motueka people enrolled by August 16th will be able to vote for Tasman District Mayor, up to three Councillors for the Motueka ward of the Tasman District Council, and up to four representatives on the Motueka Community Board.

With a wide range of important issues currently under discussion which will determine the future of the town and district, it is important that a good representation of residents is achieved, including people who can work collegially to find solutions to some pressing matters.

Some of the key issues in progress include the Motueka wastewater system upgrade (the sewage system), protection from river flooding, the development of a library and possibly a community hub, improvements to urban roading, commercial and residential zoning changes, aerodrome management and development, improvements to Memorial Hall, stormwater issues and freedom camping.

Tasman District Councillors also have to address what many perceive as a growing debt problem for the Council, managing population growth, district-wide water supply issues, more protection against natural disasters and storm damage, and making Council more efficient and effective.

To help potential candidates to decide if they want to stand, Council chief executive Lindsay McKenzie is hosting briefing sessions shortly, including one in Motueka next Thursday, July 25th, at the TDC Service Centre meeting room in Hickmott Place, from 3.00 to 4.00pm.

The free, open session will outline key information about the role and business of Council, what the Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members do, and the election process, including information about nominations and campaigning.

Nominations close on August 16th, and during the election campaign several channels will be available for Motueka people to be informed about key issues and what candidates stand for.

Motueka Online intends to run a forum for anyone to post comments and ask questions of candidates. It is expected that Grey Power will again run a "Meet the Candidates" daytime public meeting during the campaign, and Vision Motueka will also host an evening meeting of a similar question-and-answer format.

Voting documents will be posted to voters around the week of September 20th to 25th, and postal votes must be returned by October 12th.

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