The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic mean residents should focus more than ever on a better future, Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole says.
Launching the final consultation phase of the Papakura Local Board Plan, which will guide the board’s activities for the next three years, he urged residents to partner with the board on the plan.
“It’s not the board’s plan, it’s everyone’s plan because it has been shaped by what our people have told us is most important to them.
"To really succeed, it must be an invitation to partner with us, to take a role in shaping our community. Together we can take small steps that will lead to big things.”
He says people need to “Love Local” by expressing their opinions on the draft plan, which when feedback has been analysed, will come back to the board for adoption.
“People told us what they wanted and now it’s time to see if we got it right.”
The plan has five key goals, called outcomes:
- A vibrant and prosperous local economy
- a community enriched by its diversity, where people feel connected and lead active and healthy lives
- a well-connected area that is easy to move around
- a treasured environment and heritage
- a partnership with Māori that creates a Papakura where Māori identity, culture and aspirations are embraced.
“People are at the heart of our decision-making and we’ve incorporated much of what we learned from feedback earlier in the year.
“Our young people told us their environment and climate change are critical, and Māori challenged us to work more closely together.”
While he says the COVID-19 recovery will bring challenges, people will remain at the heart of board decisions. “As we enter the recovery phase, it’s important to remember that we are all in this together.”
To read the plan, check out where upcoming events are taking place, and for have your say information - go online to akhaveyoursay.nz/lovelocal. There is a message from the chair here.
Feedback to the draft plan closes 13 August.
