Three Waters in sights for Waimakariri mayor

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Dan Gordon is pledging to continue to fight for better Three Waters reform after winning a second term as Waimakariri mayor.

He has been re-elected with 87 percent of the vote, defeating Miles Stapylton-Smith in last Saturday’s (October 8) local government elections.

Responding to Government reforms, and particularly the proposed Three Waters reforms, are his priorities for the new term.

‘‘In this term, I will continue to push for a better outcome on this issue for all our rate payers and residents.’’

He is also watching the proposed Resource Management Act reforms and the review of local government closely.

Managing the growth of the district, traffic congestion in Southbrook and Woodend, climate change and keeping rates rises down are other priorities.

He also plans to make himself more accessible to residents, including running ‘‘drop-in’’ sessions for residents to express their views.

Gordon will be joined by three new councillors, with Jason Goldsworthy elected in the Rangiora-Ashley ward, Brent Cairns in the Kaiapoi-Woodend ward and Tim Fulton in the Oxford-Ohoka ward.

Goldsworthy will be the youngest councillor around the table, at 29.

Seven sitting councillors, deputy mayor Neville Atkinson, Niki Mealings, Joan Ward, Paul Williams, Robbie Brine, Philip Redmond and Al Blackie were re-elected.

Kaiapoi-Woodend ward councillor Sandra Stewart was the only sitting councillor to lose her seat.

Stewart served as a councillor from 2007-10 and has served since 2016.

She was re-elected to the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board.

She said she would continue to fulfil her portfolio commitments until the new council was sworn in and hoped to continue some of the environmental work she ‘‘pioneered’’.

‘‘We will just see how it all pans out. It will be interesting times all round with the government legislation.’’

Gordon has met with the councillors individually this week to discuss their interests before deciding on portfolios and council appointments.

No decision has been made on the appointment of a deputy mayor.

Gordon is also working with council staff to finalise arrangements for the induction of the new council later this month.

Waimakariri District Council Mayoral result:
Dan Gordon 17,935.
Miles Stapylton-Smith 2545.

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