Notice or right to demand a poll on Electoral System

 Westland District Council electors have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used at the next two triennial general elections (2025 and 2028) for Westland District Council.

The choice is between the First Past the Post (FPP) and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral systems.  Westland District Council resolved on 24 August 2023 to continue to use the FPP electoral system.

A valid demand for a poll must be:

• Made in writing.
• Signed by at least 5 percent of eligible electors of Westland District Council. This will require a minimum of 318 elector signatures.
• Delivered to the Westland District Council office, 36 Weld Street, Hokitika by 5pm Monday, 11 December 2023.

If a valid demand for a poll is received after 11 December 2023, the poll will have effect for the 2028 and 2031 elections.

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it his or her full name and the address for which he or she is qualified as an elector of Westland District Council.

Anthony Morton
Electoral Officer
12 September 2023

The officer for enquiries is Lesley Crichton, Group Manager Corporate Services & Risk Assurance, Lesley.crichton@westlanddc.govt.nz Phone 0800 474 834.

Upcoming Council meetings – September / October

Business connect for Rugby World Cup alcohol licence applications

The Government has legislation in place which allows eligible on-licence and club-licence premises to extend their trading hours using a streamlined process when televising live Rugby World Cup matches from France.

An online form is now available on Business Connect for businesses or clubs to apply to extend their opening hours. The government platform pre-populates the match game times and primary business information. Once the form has been filled in, a notification is automatically directed to the council and local police contact. If licence holders change their plans and decide not to open after having their extended hours approved, they are provided with the relevant police contact details to do so.

How to do it

1. Log into Business Connect
2. From the Business Connect dashboard, click the Hospitality tab.
3. Click on Rugby World Cup extended trading hours tile and begin the form.

Applications need to be sent seven days prior to the game, so the automated process supports the short turnaround time.

Franz Josef wood carving workshop

Funding from the Creative Communities scheme has helped support a series of five wood carving workshops in Franz Josef this winter.

The turnout was great, all ten spots were filled each week, and feedback from both the attendees and tutor was so positive. What great talent there is in the Franz Josef community!

The Franz Josef Community Council now owns some great tools which can be used for future workshops. Ideas for a follow-up on this workshop to be held next winter have already been pitched.

Tutor Cliff Goodwin shares, “So I tried something new and ran a five-week series of carving workshops. I was approached by the community council asking to see if keen to help organize this as they have some funding for health and well-being. They thought this idea would fit. After two years and lots of hard work from the community council team, it got off the ground. It was a total hit lots of fun had by all. Hoping to get asked to do another next winter.” You can find out more about Cliff’s work on his Facebook page.

Text and images – Franz Josef CDO

Speed… Yes, we’re talking about it again.

Local speed limits

With the changes in the way speed limits are set and managed, we are required to write our 10-year Speed Management Plan for our local roads. We are doing this with Grey and Buller Councils to create a consistent, coast-wide approach to speed management and setting speed limits.

Presently, we are drafting a document that will be available for public consultation later this year. We want you as stakeholders to give us feedback on the draft document. We have engaged with our industry stakeholders and your Elected Members to help us prepare the Draft Speed Management Plan.

Much has been done around speed management within Westland, with 25% of our network already posted at the Safe and Appropriate Speed (SAAS). We aim to expand on the work that has already been carried out. Previously we asked the community what worked well and what didn’t work well. That feedback has been used as we work to change things for the better.

We’ve already committed to making the roads around schools safer for our Tamariki and will be rolling out some changes with a mix of variable and permanent 30km/h speeds around all Westland schools. We aim to change the speed limits around all schools by June 2024.

Positive and negative, we want all your feedback. This isn’t just a journey we’re taking by ourselves we want as many on board for the ride as we can get.

State Highway speed limits

In August Waka Kotahi released their Interim Speed Management Plan for the country. While the interim plan had closed for feedback they are still seeking feedback to help them develop their final version.

We asked you to share your suggestions for changes to the speed limits on State Highway 6 so that we could provide that feedback to Waka Kotahi, along with our suggestions for areas to be considered for speed changes. We’ve done that in the lead-up to feedback closing at the end of September 2023. Should you wish to provide your feedback contact Waka Kotahi.

News from the Heritage Park

The last month has been a fairly quiet time at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park with a slow-down of visitors, although the railway, in particular, still attracts a steady number of patrons every week when weather allows.

WIHP members, however, continue to progress their various projects and there is a lot of planning in the background.

Two new displays are planned:

• With the expansion of the Livery display the Boatshed display has become very cramped and so a new Maritime Centre is planned to house the existing boat collection and tell the story of water transport in Westland.
• A new shed is also planned to display some of our large plant items. This has been christened the Wheels and Tracks display.

The contract for the construction of these new sheds has been let, the consenting process is underway, the sites have been cleared and we hope construction will start at the end of the month and be finished by the end of the year. In the meantime, planning and fundraising to fit out the two new buildings is also progressing.

Members are excited that WIHP will host this year’s Junk2Funk Wearable Arts Exhibition. The show will be held in the Heritage Centre at the Park on Sunday 1 October from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm. The exhibits in this show must contain at least 75% recycled materials.

The Mudfish railway has continued to operate on Saturdays weather permitting. Following the success of the night runs on King’s Birthday and Matariki weekends we will have an evening run on Saturday 23 September to celebrate the end of daylight saving. Watch for the advertising for this event.

Want to win an ounce of GOLD? We are running a raffle to raise money to buy a new electric locomotive for the Mudfish railway. The 1000 tickets are $10 each. Sales are going well with about half of the tickets sold. First prize is an ounce of gold (worth about $3,000); the second prize is a Helicopter trip for up to 4 people (value $1200); third prize is 2 nights’ accommodation for a family of up to 5 people at the Kiwi Holiday Park (value $440); and the fourth prize is a Family entry to the West Coast Treetop Walk (value $85). The draw will take place in November.

We are open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but look out for additional events. Come and see our displays, talk to our members and join us if you like what you see.

Westland Industrial Heritage Park: 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika 7810
Email: wihpark@gmail.com
Website: http://www.rustyrelics.co.nz  

Text and images: Bob Gaiger

Lots happening at the library

School holiday activities

No registration is needed. Children under 8 years of age must be supervised.

Take Home Activity Packs

$2 each. Packs contain instructions (and materials) for four fun S.T.E.A.M.-themed activities. Limited numbers, first in first served, available from Wednesday 20 September.

The Great Spring Seed and Seedling Swap

Spring is in the air, and that means it is time stretch your green fingers and get your garden growing. Pop along to the library from 27-30 September to share your spare seeds from last year’s harvest and any seedlings or plant cuttings you have to swap (house plants also welcome).