New voice for Clutha ratepayers
A DESIRE to see greater accountability from the Clutha District Council has led to the formation of a new ratepayers’ group for the district.
Clutha Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) chairman John Fenby said the group was incorporated following a meeting of about 20 ratepayers last month.
They had gathered to discuss complaints among older residents that the council had failed to reflect the wishes of the whole community, in planning the replacement of the Balclutha War Memorial Hall with a new $15 million Clutha Community Hub.
Although that project was now under way, several other issues were raised during the meeting, leading attendees to propose the formation of the new association, Mr Fenby said.
‘‘Although the hall was a leading factor, people’s worries with the council are wider than that alone.
‘‘They include its handling of sewage and water infrastructure maintenance and planning, roading and footpaths, and a perception that elected bodies get drawn into vanity projects, over the bread and butter business of actually looking after the things affecting residents daily.’’
In March 2017, the council had to pay $1.96 million to construction firm owner Russell Lund, following its mismanagement of a swimming pool project contract; and, in December last year, the council was fined nearly $500,000 for wastewater plant noncompliance.
Mr Fenby said the time was right for a new association, the previous having dissolved more than 40 years ago.
One of its functions would be to identify current community concerns.
‘‘For our group, the memorial hall was a key bone of contention. But we really don’t know to what extent the wider community is worried about that project, or whether there are other matters of greater concern for them.
‘‘We’d now like to grow our reach as quickly and widely as possible, to allow us to speak with a bigger voice for the concerns of the majority.’’
Representatives from Balclutha, Milton, Owaka and Clinton were present at the inaugural meeting, and those from further afield would be welcomed, he said.
Mr Fenby envisaged the association making group submissions on behalf of members, and helping individuals with that process.
‘‘The submissions process can be quite daunting for some, so that’s an area we can help give people a voice.’’
He said he had ‘‘some sympathy’’ with councils, as they took on additional responsibilities from central Government, sometimes with ‘‘inadequate support’’.
But that did not exclude them from their core responsibilities to ratepayers, he said.
‘‘We just want to be heard.’’ Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he welcomed the formation of the new association.
‘‘I’ve no problem at all with residents engaging constructively with council, and I’m sure this will be a positive addition to the democratic process.’’
The council was feeling positive about many upcoming projects, ‘‘so we welcome the association’s voice’’, he said.