Mayor of Southland

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the district and lead the development of the council’s plans, policies and budget. The mayor appoints the deputy mayor, establishes committees for particular topics, and appoints chairs for those committees. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Southland District Council mayoral election.

Utilities and services

Councils are responsible for a wide range of utilities and services that we all rely on, from rubbish and recycling to street cleaning. Councils are currently also responsible for managing waste water, storm water and drinking water infrastructure – the ‘Three Waters’. But that may be about to change, with central government seeking to shift the delivery of Three Waters services to four new larger entities, which could borrow enough to upgrade the country’s water infrastructure.

Utilities and services

Councils are responsible for a wide range of utilities and services that we all rely on, from rubbish and recycling to street cleaning. Councils are currently also responsible for managing waste water, storm water and drinking water infrastructure – the ‘Three Waters’. But that may be about to change, with central government seeking to shift the delivery of Three Waters services to four new larger entities, which could borrow enough to upgrade the country’s water infrastructure.

  • Investigate current recycling costs, processes and effectiveness. Indications are that this is hugely inefficient and expensive.

    Work to quash Three Waters on all fronts. Requires community input/understanding of issues and possibilities.

    Encourage community consideration of tremendous volumes of wastewater, all of which must be pumped and treated. Needs discussion.

  • Continue with the shared service of rubbish and recycling while monitoring the upcoming waste management minimisation government strategy.

    Continue to monitor the Three Waters legislation as it comes in piecemeal to council.

    Continue to monitor the animal and dog control policies to ensure they align with legislation.

  • Oppose the current Three Waters plan and look for workable solutions for keeping our infrastructure safe and efficient without bankrupting us.

    Separate glass from the recycling collection as soon as possible to minimise contamination and reduce the amount going to landfill.

    Lead re-engagement with the other two councils to focus on waste minimisation and shared recycling initiatives.

  • Commit to encouraging better dog control. Bylaws need to be abided by.

  • Continue to push back on the Three Waters reform so that it can be paused and reworked to focus on better outcomes for Southland.

    Ensure that aiming for consistency in services doesn't override the ability for communities to have bespoke levels of service for facilities.

    Ensure there is the right balance between user pays and ratepayer subsidised services.

  • Investigate current recycling costs, processes and effectiveness. Indications are that this is hugely inefficient and expensive.

    Work to quash Three Waters on all fronts. Requires community input/understanding of issues and possibilities.

    Encourage community consideration of tremendous volumes of wastewater, all of which must be pumped and treated. Needs discussion.

  • Continue with the shared service of rubbish and recycling while monitoring the upcoming waste management minimisation government strategy.

    Continue to monitor the Three Waters legislation as it comes in piecemeal to council.

    Continue to monitor the animal and dog control policies to ensure they align with legislation.

  • Oppose the current Three Waters plan and look for workable solutions for keeping our infrastructure safe and efficient without bankrupting us.

    Separate glass from the recycling collection as soon as possible to minimise contamination and reduce the amount going to landfill.

    Lead re-engagement with the other two councils to focus on waste minimisation and shared recycling initiatives.

  • Commit to encouraging better dog control. Bylaws need to be abided by.

  • Continue to push back on the Three Waters reform so that it can be paused and reworked to focus on better outcomes for Southland.

    Ensure that aiming for consistency in services doesn't override the ability for communities to have bespoke levels of service for facilities.

    Ensure there is the right balance between user pays and ratepayer subsidised services.