Getting the word out on managing outstanding landscapes
A brand new roadshow on landscape issues starts this week around the country.
Local Government New Zealand and the Resource Management Law Association have put together a roadshow on identifying and managing outstanding landscapes.
This is a difficult area for councils and until now there hasn't been consistency across the regions. Last year a remit was passed at LGNZ's AGM on resource management issues around outstanding landscapes. The roadshow is one of the projects that resulted.
I encourage everyone involved in this area to visit www.rmla.org.nz and check when the roadshow is visiting a town or city near you.
New Zealand programme receives international recognition
Internationally recognised, award-winning, innovative - the Making Good Decisions programme is all three.
The programme received the Outstanding Program - Non-credit Award at the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) conference in San Francisco in April. The award recognises the work the programme does in certifying panel members for Resource Management Act (RMA) hearings.
Developed by LGNZ and the Ministry for the Environment, the Making Good Decisions programme helps councillors, community board members and independent commissioners make better decisions under the RMA.
Irene Clarke and the Environment team at LGNZ have done great work in this area. It's gratifying to see that being recognised around the world.
For more information, visit the Making Good Decisions site.
Elections Update
It's time to start getting people enrolled for the local government elections.
For voters, enrolling is the first step towards getting their voices heard. For those of us in local government, before we can even start talking about voter turnout we have to encourage people to get on the roll.
The Electoral Enrolment Centre is launching its voter enrolment campaign this week, and they have some suggestions on how we can help spread the word.
- Help people enrol by putting up posters, hand out brochures, and let them know how to do it.
- Link to the Elections NZ website where you can check your own enrolment details and email reminders to others.
- Take the local elections quiz and see how well you do.
The more people who enrol and vote, the stronger local democracy is. So let's do what we can to help them.
Lawrence Yule
President, Local Government New Zealand
Posted 5 July 2010
