Council’s activities in Economic Development (Community Development) will enhance opportunities to grow the wealth of our District to be shared in by all residents of our District. The Council will encourage initiatives to bring more people to live in Waimate while maintaining the unique lifestyle here.
Forestry
Council’s Forestry activity can contribute to integrated employment opportunities in our District, from the forestry worker on the hill, to the sawmill through to furniture manufacture and distribution. Council’s Forestry income is also used to reduce the rates burden for all ratepayers.
Council has forestry interests at Charnwood, Athlone, Morven, Waihao and in Forestry Reserves. The Council owns 960 hectares, 230 hectares are operated under a forest right agreement, and 95 hectares are operated as joint venture with land owners. Operational management of forestry is tendered out to a professional forest management company.
Every year Council attend to the following routine matters in order to maintain service levels set in agreement with our community.
- Maintain, operate and harvest from Council owned/interested forestry blocks.
- Maintain a log supply agreement with Hunters Hills Lumber Ltd to achieve dual benefits of continuity of log sales, and support provision of integrated employment opportunities from timber harvesting within the Waimate District.
- Maintain an awareness of market conditions for forestry in order to maximise sale revenues.
- Remain vigilant for new opportunities to either purchase or divest forestry interests as part of good management of forestry investment.
Economic Development Grants
Council maintain and operate an Economic Development Policy in order to provide Grants to businesses and individuals who meet Council criteria and who will further our local economy by providing jobs and bringing improved services here. These Grants are ultimately repaid to council for use of other applicants. Council also provide advice about the regulatory environment and land use possibilities to prospective new businesses wishing to set up in our District. Active grants are reviewed annually for compliance with any re-payment provisions.
Every year Council attend to the following routine matters in order to maintain service levels set in agreement with our community.
- Use local services as first preference where prudent stewardship guidelines permit.
- Maintain an effective Economic Development Policy with criteria that best serves Community Outcomes.
- Facilitate the exchange of information and assist prospective investment by advising on legal and regulatory matters.
- Provide grants to encourage increased job opportunities and improved services.
- Ensure that infrastructural development meets the needs of the accommodation industry.
- Analysis of Economic Development Grant applications and prepare a report to Council assessing: viability of proposal, number of employment positions created directly by applicant within our District and flow-on benefits for secondary employment and service industries. Council also assesses the social, cultural and environmental suitability of proposals.
Community Support
In the activity of community support, Council has two separate operations:
Council’s Promotions Department – a manager, two assistants (who job share) and voluntary workers, operate the promotions department out of the former post office building. The Promotions Department provides support for tourism within the Waimate District, promotes Waimate outside the District, and assists with festivals and events in the District e.g. Waimate Strawberry Fare. Their website address is www.waimate.org.nz
Council’s General Community Services – provides decision making and accountability for funds grants from council to community organisations and individuals for community purposes. Funds come from both council and on-Council sources. Total Grants are in excess of $150,000 pa e.g. grants to: Stadium, Museum, Resource Centre, Scholarships, Regent Theatre, Bushtown, Creative NZ Recipients, etc.
Every year Council attend to the following routine matters in order to maintain service levels set in agreement with our community.
- Publish these community grants in local media.
- Assist the Waimate Community Arts group with meeting locations, etc.
- Support the Regent Theatre Trust.
- Support the ‘Bushtown Heritage Park’ Project.
- Support sporting clubs & organisations with low interest loans.
- Interact with ECan on future needs for public transport - monitoring the need at regular intervals.
- Promote the historical and contemporary importance of timber industries as a District theme.
- Support the operation of Community Vehicles.
- Support the maintenance of ambulance services within the District.
- Operate a Rates rebate scheme in conjunction with the Dept. of Internal Affairs.
- Sponsor events that use community centres within the District other than Waimate township.
- Maintain & staff the Information Centre for visitors and residents information as well as tourist maps & information covering the District.
- Partner with Project Waimate on continuing commercial area revitalisation.
- Provide Community Grants to community support organisations.
- Provide Council grants to Arts organisations.
- Liaise with RSA and local Maori to co-ordinate ANZAC day observances.
- Operate an effective Promotions department.
- Extend operations at the Council Information Centre in Waimate to provide for seven day opening.
- Maintain signage that provides coverage of a range of tourist and special interest locations and activities.