Selwyn District Council

We're planning for the future of Waikirikiri Selwyn! 🌱 Council has adopted Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn, which sets out a plan for the next 50-100 years vision to grow a district that is liveable, innovative, connected, filled with opportunity and prosperity. To find out more visit https://lnkd.in/gpa22mqr

KiwiRail and Selwyn District Council have signed an MOU, marking the start of a closer collaboration to align rail development with the Waikirikiri Ki Tua Future Selwyn strategy.   This partnership will help shape the district’s transport systems for the next 50-100 years, supporting efficient transport and future growth.   Mayor Sam Broughton emphasised the importance of planning for future generations, while KiwiRail’s Mark Heissenbuttel highlighted opportunities for sustainability and tourism, including the iconic TranzAlpine service.   Exciting times ahead for Selwyn’s transport and tourism sectors! 🤝

We are delighted to announce that we won the Integrated Strategy Award at last night's Economic Development NZ Best Practice Awards in Dunedin. This national recognition celebrates the collaboration and hard work that went into the strategy and reaffirms our commitment to shaping a prosperous future for Waikirikiri Selwyn.

We were very pleased to launch our Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy at Lincoln University last night. This strategy provides the blueprint to shape Waikirikiri Selwyn’s economy and marks an exciting chapter for our district. Thank you to all who contributed to this strategy, to our partners who endorsed the strategy and to everyone who attended the event. Visit https://lnkd.in/gYt6UfQP for all the key resources. 📸 Thanks to Itch

Landowners and community groups around the Selwyn district have started planning their new planting and biodiversity protection projects after receiving funding from the Selwyn Natural Environment Fund (SNEF). 🌱 Over 51 projects applied for funding from the Selwyn District Council, which include native restoration planting, predator trapping, invasive weed control and fencing projects to protect remnant native bush. “The Council is pleased to have so many landowners and community groups working hard to restore our natural environment, and we are proud to be able to support their projects with our funding,” says Selwyn District Council Enabling Services Executive Director Tim Harris. He explains that so far around $200,000 of the Selwyn Natural Environment Fund has been allocated to 48 successful applicants, with $58,000 still available for additional projects. To read more, visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/gPdqjN2C

We have started work on a unique parkour area, 3x3 basketball court and wheels area as part of a dedicated Youth Zone at Foster Park in Rolleston. 🌳 “Selwyn has one of the largest population groups under 24 years of age and this Youth Zone is part of the Council’s commitment to make the district a great place to live, work and play, for young and old,” says Tim Mason, Executive Director of Infrastructure and Property. Foster Park in Rolleston was recently recognised as the Active Park/Sportsground of the Year, at the Recreation Aotearoa Awards and Mason says that the new Youth Zone, as well as completing the Foster Park central area, will put the finishing touches on a state-of-the-art community facility. To read more, visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/gE7FZB6t

On Thursday 10 October, Waikirikiri Selwyn District Council indicated it will largely retain the existing representation structure and move away from its initial proposal for change, following public feedback. 💬 The Council held deliberations today following last month’s hearings on its representation review where the Council considered feedback from 613 submissions on its initial proposal, including 35 people who spoke to their submissions. After considering the feedback, the Council today voted to maintain the current four existing ward boundaries agreed before the 2022 election and increase the number of councillors for the Rolleston Ward from three to four to reflect population growth. The four wards will have dual names reflecting the geography of the District and the Malvern Community Board was supported to remain in place. To read more, visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/gW4VXCWy

The community reference group has been confirmed to help create Whata Rau, Leeston’s new multi-purpose community centre.  The Council is pleased to announce the members of the Reference Group. The five members are:  1. Grant Clausen  2. Mike Lay  3. Antony French  4. Jane West 5. A representative of Te Taumutu Rūnanga (currently being appointed) After consultation through the Long-Term Plan the Council confirmed a $16 million budget for Whata Rau and that it will be a multi-purpose community centre, with library services on Leeston Park. Whata Rau is a name gifted by Te Taumutu Rūnanga.  In response to submissions, it also confirmed it would establish a community reference group chaired by Councillor Grant Miller, which will play a pivotal role in influencing the location and shaping the design, layout, and functionality of Whata Rau. Want to read more of this media release? Visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/gcXvTbjf

The Selwyn District Council is exploring options for the next stage of the government's local water reforms, including the possibility of establishing a Selwyn Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) for delivering water services. 💧 Following the direction of the Minister for Local Government, Simeon Brown, around the next stages of Local Water Done Well, the Council has been exploring options, including collaborating with other councils, setting up its own CCO, retaining the existing system, or contracting water services to another entity, to meet the minister’s goals of financial sustainability and regional collaboration. The new Local Water Done Well legislation aims to address decades of underfunding of infrastructure around the country and gives councils until September next year to submit their own Water Services Delivery Plans. 📑 Mayor Sam Broughton says that Selwyn has invested heavily in water in the past decade, and new growth has created one of the country's most up-to-date and reliable water systems while maintaining some of the lowest water charges. To read more, visit👉 https://lnkd.in/gti4u9eF

According to fresh, detailed data from the 2023 Census released by Statistics New Zealand, the Selwyn District continues to grow and diversify as a multicultural district. “Selwyn residents will not be surprised by this new information, as our schools, workplaces, shops and clubs are becoming increasingly multi-cultural,” says Mayor Sam Broughton. Census data released in May showed that Selwyn was the fastest growing district in the country, with the largest increase in population (29%) and dwellings (29.4%) between 2018 and 2023. Data released today shows that this recent growth has also transformed Selwyn into a global village, with residents, languages and cultures from all corners of the worldbuilding a life in the district. Want to read more? Visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/g92trrCh