Purple people symbol in shape of Selwyn district

More than 600 people have made their voice heard on an initial proposal for the Selwyn District Council’s representation model to be used at the 2025 local body elections, with submissions now closed.

The Council welcomed feedback from 8 August to 12 September on its initial proposal to reduce the number of councillors, adjust the four electoral ward boundaries, rename the wards and not have community boards.

Mayor Sam Broughton says this is a record number of submissions for a Selwyn District Council representation review, and the impressive turnout illustrates our communities’ commitment to shaping the way they are represented by their local council.

“It’s great to see that people are engaged on this topic and we are very thankful to everyone who has made a submission or came and spoke to us at our drop-in sessions around the district over the past month.”

The Council approved an initial representation proposal on 24 July for consultation which included reducing the number of its councillors from 10 to eight; shifting West Melton to the Springs Ward and Burnham to Rolleston Ward; renaming the wards, and not retaining a community board in Malvern.

Since its last representation review in 2021, the population in Waikirikiri Selwyn has grown about 13%, with some areas growing significantly faster than others.

This has resulted in an uneven number of people represented by each councillor.

Under the initial proposal, reduced councillor numbers and minor ward boundary adjustments would allow each councillor to represent roughly 10,155 people each similar to councils such as New Plymouth, Kapiti, Taranaki and Hamilton.

Malvern and Ellesmere wards would have one councillor each, while the more densely populated Rolleston and Springs wards would have three councillors each. Councillors, once elected, must make decisions in the interests of the whole district regardless of which ward they are elected from.

Public hearings on the submissions will be held on 26 and 27 September, with Council expected to resolve the final proposal on 23 October.

Public notification of the final proposal would be made by 4 November, with any appeals and submissions then accepted.

More information about the Council’s representation review is available on the Council website
selwyn.govt.nz/repreview
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Last modified: 17 Sep 2024 3:53pm