Council reflects on challenging year in annual report
Marlborough District Council has released its annual report for the year 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. Mayor John Leggett said it had been a challenging but successful 12 months.
Over the 12 months, New Zealand was often at a raised alert level to respond to the threat of Covid-19. However, Marlborough District Councillors, staff and contractors were focussed on delivering our core business with added vigour, in the knowledge that each initiative we progressed and every programme of works that was advanced was making an important contribution to the Marlborough economy - and a tangible difference to our community in difficult times, Mayor Leggett said.
I'd like to thank my fellow councillors, staff and contractors for their continued efforts this year. Despite the challenging global environment, we made solid progress in delivering our services to residents and ratepayers, and supported the Marlborough economy wherever practically possible, he said.
Early in the year, great efforts were made to roll up our sleeves and speed up infrastructure investment - recognising the importance of continued investment in Marlborough economy.
In August we announced $65.8M of contracts had been awarded since New Zealand had moved to Alert Level 1 on 9 June. The Property and Community Facilities Department issued 37 contracts involving 17 local contractors and actioned contract works to the value of $32M since coming out of that lockdown. Capital funding of three waters infrastructure, solid waste disposal and flood protection amounted to $30.577M. In addition, architects and engineering firms were awarded contracts amounting to $3.216M, supporting eight local design companies, he said.
Advice and support was also offered to our hospitality, retail and tourism sectors adversely affected by the pandemic thanks to the work of The Economic Action Marlborough (TEAM) group. TEAM made a number of welcome interventions to support local businesses including the Make It Marlborough buy local' campaign, employment support programmes for 18-24 year olds and funding key regional events. In recognition of their hard work the group received a commendation at the 2021 Economic Development New Zealand Awards.
Mayor Leggett said throughout the 12 months, support was also received from some unexpected quarters.
On 1 July 2020 I welcomed Finance Minister Hon Grant Robertson's announcement of $11M in shovel ready' infrastructure funding for the new Marlborough District Library and Art Gallery in Blenheim's CBD. The build has progressed rapidly since then, helping create local jobs and bringing a stunning new landmark to our skyline. Before long it will be Marlborough's leading community meeting place and hub.
Just three weeks later I had the pleasure of welcoming Provincial Growth Fund and shovel ready funding for four other projects - the Marlborough Research Centre, the Picton-to-Kaikōura Whale Trail, flood prevention work on the Wairau River and a Ngāti Kuia initiative to process kānuka. All had been initiated from the ground up by people here in Marlborough.
The Council also benefitted from $12.5M Government funding allocated towards the Renwick water main upgrade, Blenheim sewer relining and Marlborough Boys' College stormwater main renewal, through a capital injection from the Government's Three Waters stimulus funding, Mayor Leggett said.
Other highlights of the year included:
- The Council continued its first-hour free parking in Blenheim and Picton.
- Construction of Renwick's new reservoir was completed, marking the end of the first stage in a three-year programme to improve the town's drinking water.
- The project to install water meters in Havelock and Renwick was completed.
- Work to upgrade the sewer network in the north of Blenheim began - the $13.7M project provides for future residential growth of 700 homes, increases sewer and pump station capacity, and reduces the effects of infiltration and sewer overflow frequency.
- Construction began on the final stages of Picton's wastewater network upgrade, including an upgrade to its sewer. The Waikawa wharf sewage pump station is being upgraded and a new
870-metre pipe laid in Waikawa Road.
- A number of the district's public toilets received a spruce up this year, including Marlborough's oldest in Seymour Square, Blenheim.
- Just over $3.2M of local projects were approved through the Land Subdivision Account, funded by levies charged to developers. Parks, reserves, sportsgrounds and playgrounds all received funding to improve facilities.
- Construction of Lansdowne Park's new Sports Hub progressed quickly.
- The Council, with LINZ and NIWA, completed seabed mapping of Te Hoiere/Pelorus Sound, Admiralty Bay and Te Aumiti/French Pass.
- The Council's Catchment Care Programme got boots on the ground through a combination of Council, Government (Jobs for Nature) and landowner funding. Council's contribution of $1.2M joined with co-funding from the Ministry for Environment ($1.8M), the Ministry for Primary Industries ($1.26M), and $1.3M from landowners. The programme is expected to create 21 jobs and result in significant land management improvements in the Are Are Creek, Linkwater and Te Hoiere/Pelorus river catchments.
- Council adopted a new Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw 2021. There was significant public interest, with 679 submissions received.
- A new reserve management plan for Picton's Victoria Domain Reserves was adopted, in partnership with Te tiawa.
- In May Councillors voted to establish a Māori ward for Marlborough in time for the 2022 local elections.
The Council's robust financial management and relatively low debt' meant Council retained its AA+ long term credit rating by rating agency S&P Global. Their assessment takes into account the financial position of the Council Group, which includes MDC Holdings Ltd, Port Marlborough NZ Ltd and Marlborough Airport Ltd.
View Marlborough District Council's 2020-21 Annual Report
Disclaimer
The information in this media statement was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.