Feedback and Meetings

Public Consultation

The project relies on interested members of the public and other stakeholders to be involved. At the outset of the project in August 2009, focus group sessions and formal public meetings were held across Southern Marlborough, providing an opportunity for people to engage in the process.

Key community representatives were also involved in technical Inquiry By Design workshops in September and at public feedback session in October. In addition to these formal sessions, several written and verbal comments and discussion points from interested parties contributed to the broad community input.

The strategy was adopted for public consultation in April 2010. The formal public consultation process was undertaken in May and June where the community had the opportunity to state their views through written submissions. A total of 306 submissions were received during this period, and around 130 of these people took up the opportunity to present their views to Councillors at Hearings in July, August and September 2010. The summary of the submission can ve viewed below.

Summary of Submissions (329 Kb)

All of the information received during the public consultation period will be considered by Councillors when making decisions about the proposals in the strategy. Final decisions are expected early in 2011, after which the final strategy will be adopted and used:

1. To inform the emerging Regional Policy Statement and Resource Management Plans, and
2. As a basis for developing projects that will seek funding via the Annual Plan or Long Term Plan, or from other sources.

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Public feedback Sessions 19-21 October

On 19, 20 and 21 October, the general public was invited to a report back session hosted by the Council in which the consultants presented the findings of the project so far.

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Public Meeting and Focus Groups 3-10 August 2009

Four public meetings were organised for community consultation.

1. General public in Renwick - 3 August 2009.
2. General public Wairau Valley Township - 4 August 2009.
3. General public of Rarangi, Spring Creek, Grovetown, and Tuamarina - 5 August 2009.
4. General public Seddon and Ward - 10 August 2009.

Four Focus Group meetings have been held additionally to consult with selected stakeholders on the growth of Blenheim:

1. Interested local Blenheim developers - 4 August 2009.
2. Professionals involved in planning and urban development of Blenheim: planning consultants, surveyors, lawyers, architects, transport engineers - 4 August 2009.
3. Representatives from community organisations in Blenheim, such as: Sustainable Housing, Primary Health, Health Overview, Grey Power, Age Concern, Maori Health, Access & Mobility, Safer Communities - 5 August 2009.
4. Marlborough District mayor, councillors, and executive officers - 5 August 2009.