My focus is helping Wakatipu thrive - ensuring our community has the support, environment and infrastructure needed so people of all ages can continue to call our
amazing district home.

My record this past term shows I challenge ‘accepted wisdom’, ask the hard questions and search for better solutions in the interests of integrity, community interest and
common sense. I have a ‘get things done’ attitude, good understanding of issues and consultative approach. I have broad community links and strengths in research and
analysis.

I will continue listening to and advocating for residents through my regular ‘Councillor Cath Community Clinics.’ I will continue to push for proper process and greater
transparency within Council. I will continue the push for greater cost-effectiveness and community say in Council decisions. My key focus remains "will this decision help
sustain our community?" I welcome your support and vote. For more information, please visit www.cathgilmour.co.nz

Top 5 Issues

1. Reduction of projected debt, without stripping the community bare,and economic growth. We are a district of innovators, but we must seek diversity to escape the boom and bust cycles of tourism and realty.
2. Ensuring proper process - so that Council and the organisations we supposedly control make decisions wisely, democratically and for the best interests of our community long-term. In my mind,
   the way in which the airport was sold was not proper process.
3. Setting our strategic vision. As a council last term, we did not have one single "strategic vision" session. If we have no idea of where we want to go, how do we get there? The result of having no end goals in mind is ad hoc, directionless decision-making, lack of sustainability, wasted money and time. I'm talking task forces, not talk fests, so we as a community can work out the directions we want to go, the kind of community and town centres we want, and how to best achieve this within the resources we are prepared to spend.
   
   
   
   
4. To care for our environment. What we do with our landscape, our sewage, our rubbish, our streetscapes, our developments and our transport networks all have an impact. We can make the most of it, or a mess of it.
5. To be a place where people put down roots and belong. A thriving community is a good place to live, to work, to play, to bring up children and to grow old. Affordability, community connections, networks and facilities are all integral. This also means being a community that takes an active part in planning its progress, because people feel they are being listened to and that they have a stake in where they live.

Personal Profile

I have a passion for this region and my Wakatipu roots are dug in deep. I began spending every holiday here as an Invercargill cribby in 1962. My parents, Ian and Jeannie, retired here in 1987. Dad died in Lakes District Hospital and Mum lived here until she had to leave the district to get appropriate care last year.