Authentic commitment to community demonstrated

Paul Mutch

Age: 71

Occupation: Retired farmer/ businessman

Marital status: Married with four children

Why do you want to be mayor?

My mayoralty is a natural extension of business and a commitment to community volunteerism within the Waitaki district from the 1980s through to the present. I have consistently demonstrated authentic commitment and wellbeing to our community. My unique experiences will provide considerable economic and social benefits. I will restore the spirit of community values and build value for ratepayers and citizens.

There are only two people in this race. What do you bring to the table that makes you a better choice than your competitor?

I bring international and national experience from chairing and observing landbased production industries, incorporating science, research and grassroots practicalities. Within these industries I am supported by a global network of professionals. I also bring crucial knowledge from infrastructure and project management. These skills are essential for efficient, productive and concise council operations.

What do you believe the council is doing well at the moment, and where has it fallen short?

Doing well: The new museum development is an excellent cultural asset and educational resource. The staff are highly qualified, passionate and provide a comprehensive understanding of our history and background.

Falling short: Presently, council conducts much business through secret and public excluded meetings, eroding community confidence in the democratic process. I will bring an end to this practice.

Council has done much to promote engagement with civic and council matters, while simultaneously treating the community with contempt. The most recent example being Forrester Heights.

Council chose to ignore the nearrecord number of engaged submitters (908) who overwhelmingly advocated for a reserve (72% to 28%). This seriously eroded the goodwill and trust of the community.

What are two main issues people in the Waitaki are facing at the moment?

Housing: What we are desperately short of are studios and apartments from 3070sq m to provide affordable, healthy accommodation for a necessary workforce and economic expansion.

Debt: Catastrophic and spiralling debt alongside sinking efficiency, delivers less to the ratepayer. Last election council had no external debt (2019). It promptly climbed to $7.4 million in 2020, $16 million in 2021, $25 million in 2022, with $38 million projected for 2023. Waterworks development is anticipated to add a further $60 million. We must prioritise financial diligence and control management overheads.

How would you address these issues?

Solution for housing: Council needs to build an administrative pathway that enables the development of new townhouse modes of accommodation. This will also create an opportunity for the elderly to move from large homes, which in turn frees up accommodation for new and expanding families. Positive community and commercial results will occur within a short timeframe, creating vibrancy and wellbeing. This opportunity will encourage an energetic, innovative workforce and support our elders who built this region.

Solution for debt: I will lead a council that operates in a fully professional and productive manner. I will introduce precise evaluation procedures for all councillors, to deliver professional and workable solutions. These are the formats that developers, planners, bankers and valuers use for pragmatic assessments, to determine whether a project is worth investing valuable time and resources in. We must use constructive frameworks that build a coherent picture of the tasks at hand and facilitate desired outcomes. Council must operate profitably and with integrity.