Making a better community
Born and raised in Opotiki I grew up loving the benefits of a tightknit community with a beautiful environment. Small was good.
When I returned there after time away and took up the role of chief executive at Opotiki District Council, I saw first-hand the value of local authorities approaching things on a larger scale through cross-boundary collaboration. Thinking bigger had benefits.
That broader approach is also crucial in my current job at Waikato Regional Council, which has a key role managing resources such as fresh water, land, coasts, and flood protection schemes.
Working closely with local councils, iwi and stakeholders, we strive to boost our fantastic heartland region even further to ensure we get the best results for our environment, economy and communities. It’s a process we call ‘‘place shaping’’.
And, at a local level, I see communities - with a strong sense of themselves and love of where they live - looking to develop.
But in some areas, such as overall economic performance and protecting our waterways, we can do better.
For example, we’ve led development of the Waikato Story, helping us all to better articulate our value proposition.
We’re supporting implementation of Waikato’s economic development strategy, initiated through the Waikato Mayoral Forum, and provided support for development of the nearly finalised Waikato Plan to guide the region’s future. We’re also starting to build up a regional development fund.
Collaboration, cooperation and coordination – are essential in all this. They’ve already produced very tangible region wide results such as: $2 billion for the Waikato Expressway, $215 million of Crown funding for land transport initiatives and $81 million to protect Lake Taupo.
Soon we’ll see the detail of extensive cooperative work to further protect the health of the Waikato and Waipa rivers as the Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora project comes to a head.
Underlying these types of big picture Waikato achievements is work at local community and district levels to protect and enhance the environment, while making economic and social gains as well. Local people know local issues best, and are great at identifying solutions and opportunities.
It’s very important to weave together the efforts of all parties at community, district and regional levels – to get best results.
For the Waikato to be successful all parts of the region need to be successful. By continuing to work well together we will be successful, locally and regionally.
· Vaughan Payne is chief executive of Waikato Regional Council.
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