People living outside town boundaries in the Mackenzie District will have a greater say in local government elections this year. (File photo)
People living outside town boundaries in the Mackenzie District are getting a greater say in the 2022 Local Government elections this year.
Mackenzie District Council has announced that, for the first time, voters who live in rural areas surrounding the townships of Twizel, Tekapo and Fairlie will be able to nominate and elect the members of those towns’ community boards.
Council’s chief executive Angela Oosthuizen said previously only ratepayers living inside the town boundaries were able to vote for community board members.
“However, everyone in an area, including rural folk, used town facilities like swimming pools and parks and wanted to have a say on how they were run.
“I hope rural ratepayers get a pleasant surprise when they open their voting papers this year and see they can vote for community board members.
“But I’m also hoping we get some rural people stepping forward to stand for election as well, because it’s a good opportunity for them to get involved in their community.
“These changes will create a new dynamic around the council table that recognises population shifts and helps the district plan better for the future.”
The change comes following public feedback received as part of a representation review held by Mackenzie District Council in 2021.
The council put a proposal to the Local Government Commission to expand community board boundaries to include rural areas, and this was accepted.
The 2021 representation review also saw another change with a new ward created in the Tekapo area to recognise the growing population in the Mackenzie basin. This comes with a new councillor position that is also up for election in 2022.
Nominations for these roles are open and close at midday on August 12. Forms can be picked up at the Fairlie or Twizel council offices.
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