August 2024 Council meeting - summary of key decisions

At a Council meeting held (Monday 12 August), Grey District Council progressed a number of issues. Below is a summary of those discussions and decisions. Links to full reports, documents or minutes are provided as appropriate.

Landfill Financial Assistance Fund 2024 -2025
Applications for funding were received from 12 organisations. Council agreed to provide a guarantee that applicants would receive up to one tonne of funding. For requests that exceed one tonne, the additional amount will be prorated based on the remaining available funds and the total excess tonnage requests, ensuring all applicants receive support, providing a safety net for smaller organisations.

Representation Review
Council confirmed representation arrangements for the 2025 local elections to be held on 11 October 2025 and the triennial election in 2028. Council is happy with the current representation in the district and is comfortable that it is fair, and working in its current form. Local iwi Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae are happy with the arrangements and structure for Māori representation and Council didn't receive any public submissions so appears the community is happy with this arrangement.

Car parking for police use
Council approved the use of seven parking spaces on Tarapuhi Street for the sole use of NZ Police for three years. Council agreed to defer the decision regarding two parking spaces on MacKay Street until local business owners have been consulted.

Kaiata- Stillwater Area Infrastructure Funds – application for Dobson Community Hall upgrade
Council approved funding of $93,000 for the Dobson Community Hall renovation and upgrade from the Kaiata-Stillwater Area Infrastructure Reserve Fund following consultation with ratepayers in the Kaiata-Stillwater census area. The application was supported by 75% of respondents.

Cobden boat ramp
Council discussed the Cobden boat ramp which has seen a significant increase in users which not only creates issues relating to parking on the adjacent informal campervan site/sewer dumping station but has other implications for Council as owner of the Port. It appears to be a seasonal problem as it is linked to the running of Southern Bluefin Tuna off our Coast. Council agreed to have staff liaise with users of the boat ramp in order to formulate and present a set of recommendations to Council, likely at the end of October 2024.

When published the minutes of this meeting can be found on our website here.