Waitaki District Council

Oamaru Ward
The Waitaki District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 10 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Six councillors will be elected from the Oamaru ward. 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 Waitaki District Council election.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change poses a huge challenge for communities as more frequent extreme weather events require us to rethink how we live and where. Local authorities are at the forefront of efforts to respond, with responsibilities for environmental planning and regulation, as well as civil defence. Many councils have plans to reduce emissions in their area and are working to help their communities adapt to a warming world.

  • Council to draw up a new declaration on climate change and support our goals towards reducing our emissions.

    Council to continue to work together with our community to develop a collaborative plan to support mitigating the effects of climate change.

  • Support proactive strategies for caring for our coastline, rather than reactive responses to disasters.

    Support initiatives in reduction of waste to landfill.

  • Work with building owners to facilitate earthquake strengthening work and enable change of use of upstairs shops to apartment accommodation.

    Ensure that we consider changes in weather patterns when planning and upgrading infrastructure – eg. upsizing culverts and pipelines.

    Continue to develop good procedures to handle natural disasters, ensuring rural communities are equipped locally to be self sufficient.

  • Prioritise district-wide acceptance of climate change. The reality cannot be denied, we must accept this to adapt for the future.

  • Foster connection and a unified approach between service providers in the face of clean up post severe flooding and snow events.

    Assist private owners of earthquake prone buildings to navigate through the requirements and help protect and enhance our heritage.

    Strengthen areas of coast against erosion in order to protect our celebrated heritage assets.

  • Collaborate and familiarise myself with relevant available science and policy recommendations for informed, evidence-based decision making.

    Secure or protect strategic assets that will assist with a possible transition to other means of long distance travel and freight movements.

    Understand the regional economic ramifications and long term impact of HWEN implementation and eventual ratcheting up of farmer liability.

  • Commit to reducing council emissions through higher community value, multi use biodiversity projects.

    Commit to establishing a higher standard of climate resilient infrastructure.

  • Ensure climate change considerations are a core part of the Waitaki District Council's planning.

    Actively demonstrate and promote environmentally-friendly practices.

    Increase visibility of the science and what we know about the impact of climate change on Waitaki to help educate and empower the community.

  • Council to draw up a new declaration on climate change and support our goals towards reducing our emissions.

    Council to continue to work together with our community to develop a collaborative plan to support mitigating the effects of climate change.

  • Support proactive strategies for caring for our coastline, rather than reactive responses to disasters.

    Support initiatives in reduction of waste to landfill.

  • Work with building owners to facilitate earthquake strengthening work and enable change of use of upstairs shops to apartment accommodation.

    Ensure that we consider changes in weather patterns when planning and upgrading infrastructure – eg. upsizing culverts and pipelines.

    Continue to develop good procedures to handle natural disasters, ensuring rural communities are equipped locally to be self sufficient.

  • Prioritise district-wide acceptance of climate change. The reality cannot be denied, we must accept this to adapt for the future.

  • Foster connection and a unified approach between service providers in the face of clean up post severe flooding and snow events.

    Assist private owners of earthquake prone buildings to navigate through the requirements and help protect and enhance our heritage.

    Strengthen areas of coast against erosion in order to protect our celebrated heritage assets.

  • Collaborate and familiarise myself with relevant available science and policy recommendations for informed, evidence-based decision making.

    Secure or protect strategic assets that will assist with a possible transition to other means of long distance travel and freight movements.

    Understand the regional economic ramifications and long term impact of HWEN implementation and eventual ratcheting up of farmer liability.

  • Commit to reducing council emissions through higher community value, multi use biodiversity projects.

    Commit to establishing a higher standard of climate resilient infrastructure.

  • Ensure climate change considerations are a core part of the Waitaki District Council's planning.

    Actively demonstrate and promote environmentally-friendly practices.

    Increase visibility of the science and what we know about the impact of climate change on Waitaki to help educate and empower the community.