About 500 comment on city’s long vision

INVERCARGILL

HUNDREDS of Invercargill residents have had their say on a vision for the future of the city.

Plan project champion councillor Alex Crackett said it was fantastic to see so many people take the opportunity.

‘‘We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to submit their feedback on the road map, so a big thanks from us as councillors to each of you.’’

About 500 submissions were received on the Invercargill City Council’s longterm plan when consultation closed on Monday.

‘‘Your feedback will help us with our discussions and decisionmaking on how we approach the next 10 years.’’

Council strategy and policy manager Rhiannon Suter said staff were still working through the submissions, counting them, and contacting people who indicated they would like to speak to councillors about their submission.

‘‘We have received about 500 submissions, with most of them generally positive about the road map to renewal and the projects we have proposed as part of it.’’

Topics covered in submissions varied. Many people continued to reinforce the community’s desire to see the museum reopened, while others chose to centre their submissions around proposed changes to the way council set rates, Ms Suter said.

She said the submissions overall showed the community generally had a good understanding of why rates needed to increase to help fund the projects council suggested.

‘‘We also noted continued concerns about rates affordability.’’

Hearings on the plan would be held on May 11 and 12.

Councillors will deliberate at a performance, policy and partnerships committee meeting on May 18, before the final document is ready for adoption on June 30.

❛ We have received about 500 submissions,

with most of them generally positive about the road map to renewal and the projects we

have proposed