Mayor roves Masterton to gather views

MOBILE: Mayor of Masterton Lyn Patterson (left) has hit the streets in a caravan to discuss the Long-term Plan with ratepayers. She is pictured at Te Awhina Cameron Community House with co-ordinator Donna Gray and volunteer Genesis Boswell. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Mayor of Masterton Lyn Patterson has taken to the road with a caravan in tow and food to share in a novel bid to gather public views on the District Council's Long-term Plan.

Mrs Patterson and travel companions including executive assistant Sandra Spence and event co-ordinator Trish Keogh launched the consultative journey throughout the district at the Community Fair at Cameron Community House on Saturday.

Since Monday the caravan has trekked the team from Lansdowne to UCOL Wairarapa and the New World carpark and were yesterday sharing out sausages and bread with neighbours and volunteers at the community house near Cameron Cres.

"Instead of waiting for the community to come to us through public submission, we're going out to the community to hear what they think, and asking specific questions, for example, about neighbourhood planning, library improvements and improvements to sports facilities. But they can tell us whatever they like - we just want to hear from people about what they think."

The team will be on the road next week as well and will also travel to rural areas of the district like Tinui, she said, depending on whether their visits will coincide with school times and the consequent gathering of rural parents.

The itinerary next week includes stops at Ko Te Aroha Children's Centre, the Masonic Village, Lansdowne Park, Whaiora Whanui and three high schools, Chanel College, St Matthews Collegiate and Rathkeale College.

Mrs Patterson said submission forms, included as the back cover of the Long-term Plan 2015-25 consultation document, also sought views on the council infrastructure strategy, the transfer station and resource recovery, neighbourhood improvements, rural cycling networks, CBD upgrades, and investment in economic development.

The form also sought community views on urban ultra-fast broadband expansion, rural broadband and mobile black spots.

The team had already collected a fast filling box of submissions and Mrs Patterson was so far pleased with the numbers of people being reached.

"We've had quite a few filled in already and these are people who would ordinarily never come in and put a formal submission to council. So while we're out here we're asking what are your issues, what are your concerns, what do you like, what don't you like? So we can get that feedback.

"We do get all the moans and groans as well but that's fine. That's what we're out here to hear about as well, if that's what people want to tell us."

For more information and for a copy of the consultation document, you can call Masterton District Council on 06 370 6300 or go online to mstn.govt.nz