New Speed Limits Introduced Throughout Southland
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1 IN CONVERSATION WITH THE MAYOR come up with the $136,000 needed and among those getting involved were locals, businesses and the Tokanui CDA. It was an honour to offi cially open this project last year as it had come about with the community’s blood, sweat and tears; it illustrates the can do, no challenge is too big attitude that makes Southlanders and our District so special. Recently the Kids Restore the Kepler project won the Schools Award at the Southland Environment Awards. The project sees Southland children, from kindy age to high school working together with organisations help return the Kepler area to its former state. Again the community has got behind the project and has shown huge initiative and support. It’s a project that will benefi t Southlanders and visitors, and generations to come. Earlier this year Limehills School pupils got to work restoring the Limehills war memorial. What a fantastic effort! The Limehills Centre Bush CDA and Winton RSA both lent support and the project was a big success, and a wonderful way to mark this year’s Anzac centenary. I was blown away by the community-minded spirit of these young people and we can all be proud that young people like these are part of Mayor Gary Tong our community. The Blackmount community too are making positive change, We’ve got plenty to be proud of in working with Council to buy the area’s recently closed school the south. Our communities are buildings to turn into a community centre. I’ve signed up to doing some great work. be part of the Tackle the Takis fundraiser to assist this work, which I can’t wait to see come to fruition. The Curio Bay Heritage Centre is another community project which is progressing on the back of collaboration. This As Mayor I get to see a lot of what is going on project will help to protect the area and the unique wildlife around Southland, and I have been impressed while continuing to be a drawcard for visitors and economic by the number of positive things I’ve seen development in the area. happening in our District. There are numerous projects being driven by different communities; Like I said, these are just a few of the projects that have they’re being proactive, pushing forward plans been going on around Southland, and I know there have to benefi t Southland and I take my hat off to been plenty of others in the past. I want to congratulate them. That’s what we’re about in the Deep everyone who has been an active part of doing good for their South, working together and community. community. I’d like to encourage you to keep up the good work. It’s easy to say the challenge is too big, the task too hard. There are so many things happening around It takes work and determination to see projects through. Some the District that I couldn’t begin to list them of the projects above have been years in the making. all but there are a few examples which I believe really demonstrate Council’s vision of Helping our communities is part of Council’s role. There are working together for a better Southland. lots of ways Council can help with projects including offering advice, giving guidance and assisting with funding. In Tokanui the community worked together to fi nd funding and construct a skate park for If you have a desire to get involved I encourage you to do so. children from around the South Catlins area. It’s that attitude which our strong communities are built on. It was a mammoth task for this community to Ka pai Southland, keep up the good work. 2 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE STEVE RURU Southland District Council Chief Executive It has been almost a year since I made the move to the Deep South. It has been an exciting transition. Alison and I have been heartened by the way we have been welcomed into the Southland community. That southern hospitality people talk about is no myth. The temperatures during winter were nothing a bit of merino couldn’t fi x, either. But then, I have always felt a special connection to Southland. Prior to taking the reins as Chief Executive here at Council, I had spent a fair bit of time at this end of the country. Mum was from Southland and hence I have lots of extended family here whom we have visited regularly over the years. Having the opportunity to make Southland my home as well as my place of work is one I have relished. Southland District Council will be among them. Although I’m not quite 12 months into the job, I have thoroughly Wellington’s continued focus on the effi ciency enjoyed my time in the role. Southland District Council is a of the local government sector, coupled with our solid organisation in an equally solid District. I want to see own desire to establish opportunities to improve Council build upon that base so that we can continue to provide our performance, makes joining the scheme an the strong leadership our communities deserve. attractive, cost-effective option. It just makes sense. As in many parts of New Zealand, in particular the regions, The benchmarking process will look at a range there are plenty of opportunities here in Southland but of indicators the length and breadth of our there are also challenges. The current downturn in the dairy organisation: corporate leadership, fi nancial industry is but one example. The challenges come from both management, risk management, and operational within our District and outside it. We need to work together management among them. to turn the challenges we face into opportunities and we must make sure that we keep up with the ever-changing Being part of this benchmarking process will times in which we live. allow us to determine where we sit on a range of indicators in comparison to other Councils To do so, we need to examine our strengths and weaknesses. around New Zealand. It will show us, in Taking this fi rst step means we will be able to come up clear terms, highs and the lows within our with proactive, innovative and, ultimately, fi t-for-purpose organisation. We will then be able to focus our solutions that will enable us to move forward in a proactive efforts and home in on the areas that identify and positive way. some wiggle room for improvement. SOLGM, the New Zealand Society of Local Government While there are always going to be limitations Managers, is moving to introduce a national benchmarking within a benchmarking system – each initiative for local authorities here in New Zealand, using a local authority sits within its own unique model that was developed in New South Wales, Australia. environment, with local opportunities and challenges – being part of this initiative will be a In New South Wales some 80 Councils use the benchmarking useful tool, a guide, in highlighting what we do process, which gives them the chance to learn from one another well and the areas in which we can improve. and identify areas for improvement. Most of the indicators used in the process are transportable from across the Tasman; Seizing the opportunity to learn from others others will be modifi ed so they align with the New Zealand is always a good idea – and to do this while environment. In the New Zealand context, SOLGM is hopeful refl ecting upon the work we carry out ourselves that some 40-odd Councils will join the initiative. is a win-win. 3 Roading engineer James McCallum said Council had a NEW SPEED statutory obligation to review its speed limits bylaw every fi ve years. However, this could happen more frequently at LIMITS Council’s discretion. As part of the review process, the proposed bylaw was publicly INTRODUCED notifi ed for consultation before it was adopted by Council. “The changes have been made to ensure that the speed limits across our District more accurately refl ect what is happening in THROUGHOUT our towns, for example the development of new subdivisions,” he said. SOUTHLAND “It’s all about ensuring Southland District’s roads remain safe.” The changes do not affect state highways, which are maintained Changes have been made to speed limits across by the New Zealand Transport Agency. parts of the District, after Council adopted its For more information and to view maps of the affected roads, new speed limits bylaw. visit www.southlanddc.govt.nz SPEED LIMIT CHANGES: Athol the speed limit has been reduced from 80km to 50km Colac Bay the speed limit has been lowered during the holiday period. The limit will drop to 50km in parts of the township between 20 December to 31 January Edendale there have been several changes. The 50km zone on Seaward Rd has been extended, the Tui Pl subdivision has been included in the 50km zone, the limit on Turner St has been partially lowered to 70km, and speed limits on George St and Crescent Rd have been lowered from 100km to 70km Garston the speed limit on Hume Rd has been lowered from 100km to 60km Makarewa a 70km zone near the freezing works has been removed and the area now has a limit of 100km Manapouri the speed limit of 50km has been extended on Hillside Manapouri Rd, and Mahara Ave and Holmewood Dr have been added to the 50km zone Mossburn a speed zone of 70km has been added to a section of Holmes St Riversdale the speed limit on Berwick St has been lowered to 50km Te Anau the subdivision off Sandy Brown Rd now has a speed limit of 50km Waianawa a section of Weir Rd now has a speed limit of 70km Woodlands the speed limit through town has been lowered from 70km to 50km 4 CHASLANDS SLIP REPAIR A drilling rig has been used to help to repair the major slip at Chaslandsfi Highwaygure out theon thenext popular steps Southern Scenic Route.