Community makes their voice heard shaping Buller's next 10-year plan

20 Oct 2023

Two weeks have passed since Buller District Council embarked on shaping Buller’s next 10-year plan together with the community.  

Mayor Jamie Cleine says: “The response has overwhelmingly been positive so far. We have received some amazing feedback from community groups, individuals and other organisations about how we approach drafting this key document.”  

  One comment was “This process is brilliant - what a great tool for getting engagement. I only heard about it a few days ago and had someone forward it to me. [...] Feeling far more engaged - thanks team!”  

So far 185 people have made their voice heard through filling out the online feedback form. 42 responses were submitted via the quick polls, which ask questions around key topics such as infrastructure, climate change, roading, community facilities, community services, council property, key projects, parks and green spaces, and community grants and funding.   

Mayor Cleine says: “We know that people are super busy, and it can be a mission to find even five minutes to fill out a feedback form. For people who are short on time but still want to join the conversation, our quick polls are the solution. It will only take a minute to answer one of these easy ranking or multiple-choice questions.” 

The quick polls can be filled out here: https://survey.publicvoice.co.nz/s3/BDC-LTP-quick-polls  

Council staff and councillors will be out and about in Buller until 12 November for some casual drop-in events at local markets, in community halls, or at local events. 

Mr Cleine says: “We would love to have a chat with you and encourage everyone to call in to meet the BDC team and share their thoughts. In line with our approach, we are joining established events like the Fox River Market on Sunday 22 October and the Westport Whitebait Festival, where we will have the big 10-year plan whitebait cook off. We will also hold drop-in events in Northern Buller, Charleston and Punakaiki.” 

The drop-in events listed below are happening soon across the district: 

  • Fox River Market, Sunday 22 October, 9am - 2pm. 
  • Whitebait Festival, Saturday 21 October , 11am - 1pm. 
  • Waimangaroa Hall - Thursday, 26 October 2023, 5.30pm - 7pm 
  • Westport New World, Friday 27 October, 10am - 12pm 
  • Seddonville Hotel - Saturday 28 October, 3pm - 4.30pm  
  • Ngakawau Hall – Saturday 28 October, 1pm - 2.30pm  
  • Mōkihinui Hall - Monday 30th October 2023, 5.30pm - 7pm  
  • Westport Library - Tuesday 31 October, 3pm - 5pm  
  • Charleston Community Hall - Sunday 29 October, 10am-12pm 
  • Punakaiki Rocks Hotel and Garden Bar (Tavern) Owen Street – Sunday 29 October, 1pm - 3pm. 

-ENDS- 

For further information please contact: 
Buller Mayor
Jamie Cleine 
Jamie.Cleine@bdc.govt.nz