“Congratulations Manukau!” was the response from Councillor Len Brown; Chair of the Annual Plan Committee after the final count of submissions received at the close of the Strategic Plan’s consultation period last week.

The Council received a total of 2954 Strategic Plan submissions.

“This is a superb response and it highlights the community taking its role in the development and growth of our city very seriously.”

“As democracy at a local level develops within Manukau the record breaking number of submission is promising. We are not resting on our laurels, much has still to be done to enhance awareness of the process and the opportunities it provides to people to have a real impact on how their community develops”, Councillor Brown said.

“The Council undertook a number of initiatives this year to promote participation and will continue to do so to create greater knowledge and understanding of the role local government plays in their lives.”

“The Council is about to hear the oral submissions starting on Thursday 24 May and, as with the written submissions, they will be given serious consideration as we finalise the Strategic Planning process.” (Oral submission timetable attached)

Included this year with Strategic Plan consultation was a Water Review questionnaire. The questionnaire provided an opportunity for the community to share their views on the regional initiatives and provide direction to the Council’s submission to the regional review.

The Council received just over 6000 completed questionnaires highlighting the importance of a safe and transparent water supply is to many of our residents. The responses will help shape the Council’s decisions and submissions with regard to the planning of future regional water services.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Malaysia Exposing Our Dodgy Policies On China

Last week, we all owed a vote of thanks to Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad for breaking with protocol during his bilateral meeting in Singapore with New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern. Reportedly, Mahathir used the photo opportunity phase of the meeting – which usually involves just an exchange of smiles and pleasantries before the media is sent out of the room – to launch into matters of genuine substance.

By doing so, Mahathir usefully exposed how New Zealand is trying to make a virtue out of sitting on the fence over the South China Sea dispute. More>>