Upper Hutt requires strong, dedicated leadership to ensure the assets and services the council care for, are maintained at a satisfactory level, and in a cost efficient manner. I offer you that dedicated leadership. Having served on the council for 6 years, I am fully aware of the Local Body workings and legislation. I will be dedicated to the position of councilor, and make myself available whenever required.

 

I will continue to monitor closely the amount the city spends, while still allowing a good balance for growth. I will ensure council keeps within the LTCCP funding predictions, and continue to monitor ways of cost reduction to minimize rate increases. I believe it is a council’s responsibility to ensure good stewardship of its ratepayer’s funds. And furthermore, it is important to recognize that it is the ratepayer who is the customer.

 

I continue to oppose universal water metering, preferring to advance ideas on better water conservation techniques. Water usage remains a problem, and if this is not addressed the city will have the situation addressed by others. This may bring decisions that as a city we will not appreciate. Such conservation techniques may include re-use of grey water, on-site rain water collection units, and education within the schooling system throughout all levels.

 

The region as a whole must maintain its pressure to secure road funding to ensure modern safe roads. I will continue to support any advancement on Transmission Gully, and I’m eager to investigate further solutions for Rimutaka Hill Road improvements. Safety issues on the River Road must continue, and I will lobby for the continuation of the barrier system for the entire route.

 

Finally, I would like to promote the idea for educating our youth on the need for local governance and its importance in our lives. Civics education needs to be promoted, to encourage the reason for governance and the rights of individuals in a democratic society. Our young must be encouraged to have there say towards society. There input is invaluable and sadly at present it is lacking. If elected, I will encourage schools to adopt programmes that can assist their students to learn about our democratic processes within the current curriculum.

 

 

Top 5 Issues

1. Council must focus on a unified approach to City Promotion. This approach must include all stakeholders, working as a united force to ensure Upper Hutt is promoted as the great place that it is. Where necessary council should apply funding to this cause, however it is not just councils financial responsibility, all stakeholders must step up to this challenge.
2. In the next few years there will be a big push to amalgamate the cities within the Wellington region. There may be some sound reasons for doing this, however Upper Hutt needs to treat this with careful considerations. Upper Hutt is in a sound financial position, and is fully aware of any future debt that may be required. Careful thought should be placed on any ideas for city amalgamations, weighing up what benefits this would bring Upper Hutt. If the benefits are not evident then I will not support any proposed amalgamations.
   
3. Continued work on the Urban growth strategy will be a key focus of the new council. It is important that this gets a wide hearing. I will listen to peoples views on the issues, and make informed choices based on what the majority want.
   
   
   
   
4. Dog control laws need to reflect societies intolerance of bad dog owners, and there inabilities to keep their dogs under control. Dog control laws at present appear to persecute good dog owners, and this issue needs to be addressed. The present council should have done this, as it is a councils duty to deal with the issue's as they are presented, not to defer them to others.
   
   
   

Personal Profile

Born at Elderslea hospital, Upper Hutt has always been home. Educated at Fraser Cresent School, Maidstone Intermediate, and Upper Hutt College.

I have had a wide variety of community involvement being part of the following organisations: Upper Hutt Water Garden and Aquarium Society, Scouts, Plateau School Board of Trustees, Flooring Association of New Zealand, Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, Upper Hutt Road Safety, Trustee Orongomai Marae, Rimutaka Hill Road Committee, Hutt Valley Services Committee, Upper Hutt Summer Carnival, Experience Upper Hutt, National Party Rimutaka Electorate.

My interests are varied enjoying music, reading, cooking, property development, church, local and national current affairs.

I enjoy the fabric of society that Upper Hutt has. It has been a wonderful place to raise my family, and continues to be a place my girls can call home. The many groups and activities that are available within Upper Hutt never ceases to amaze me, and to be able to contribute to this is a priviledge.