Talking to the media is a regular event for me and over the past fortnight, our council’s long-term plan has garnered significant media attention. I want to take a moment to address this interest and share some insights with you.
Firstly, I am thrilled to see such engagement from our local media. FreeFM, Waikato Times, and Raglan Community Radio have all provided perspectives on the work of council. Their coverage has sparked important conversations about the future of our community.
Gary Farrow’s recent interview on FreeFM discussed the history, issues and possible options relating to water delivery in our district and the importance of sustainable growth and infrastructure development.
Sarah Morcom’s article in the Waikato Times brought attention to the financial aspects of our plan, particularly the discussion around community halls.
Her piece raised valid points about the need for careful financial planning to ensure these vital community spaces remain accessible.
Community halls are more than just buildings; they are the heart of our neighbourhoods, hosting events, meetings, and activities that bring us together.
Ensuring their upkeep and accessibility is a priority for us, and we are exploring various funding options to make this possible.
In Aaron Mooar’s segment on Raglan Radio we talked about the recent Ministerial visits and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with central government as we demonstrate the district’s clear direction through its 50-year plan.
Helping Government see that our long-term plans over 10 years has alignment and works towards these 50 years plans. Ultimately, it’s crucial that they see that we are capable of delivering outcomes.
All of these interviews I feel show, that the people of our district are at the heart of what we do.
We often furnish the media with opportunities to tell stories through our communication and engagement channels via media releases, and we welcome media attendance at our meetings in Council Chambers.
The media has an important job of bringing issues to light, asking challenging questions and amplifying the good things that we have.
And that’s not just the big media outlets, local community newspapers, community newsletters and websites are just as important.
Right now, as council looks to complete our long-term plan that gives us direction, we need you to have a say.
We are committed to creating a plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of our entire community. Your feedback is crucial in shaping a future that we can all be proud of.
We are in the engagement phase, so I encourage each of you to visit our engagement platform at Shape Waikato.
Here, you can look at talking points for our long-term plan and provide your feedback. Whether you have a specific concern or a general comment, we want to hear from you.
Your input is invaluable in shaping a future that we can all be proud of. Formal consultation will be taking place early next year.
By participating in this process, you are helping to ensure that our community continues to thrive and grow in a way that benefits everyone.
Together, we can build a brighter future for our community.
Ngaa mihi, kind regards,
Mayor Jacqui
