At the Council meeting on 24 March the elected members made a number of key decisions.
Tekapo Master Plan
The Tekapo Community Board has been working with Council staff on a draft Master Plan for the town which Council have approved in principle. The plan focusses on traffic flow and parking in the town, and Council asked staff to further develop proposals with the Community Board for improvements to Pioneer Drive (near the Church of the Good Shepherd) and Rapuwai Lane.
They also asked the Property Committee to provide information to the Community Board on the development of Simpson Lane.
Water Services Organisation – progress
Since elected members voted in December to join a water services organisation with Timaru work has been continuing on the next steps. At this meeting, Council approved the updated plan for the delivery of water services, which has now be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs in advance of the 31 March deadline. They also approved the Commitment Agreement with Timaru District Council and approved the creation of a Joint Shareholders Committee. Mayor Aronsen, Deputy Mayor Fisher and Cr Adams were appointed to the Committee, with Cr Allen as back-up support.
Albury Rural Water Supply
The Albury Rural Water Supply Committee have requested that ownership of the scheme should be transferred from Council to themselves as they do not wish to join the joint Water Services Organisation. Council considered a detailed report that outlines the steps that would need to be completed for this to be achieved and the additional work that would need to be completed. Councillors indicated that they agree in principle with this request.
Twizel Community Care Trust Project Update and Lease Agreement
With the building of the new school in Twizel, Council took over operating the community library. Since the start of 2026 the library has continued to be house in the old school buildings. However, as the school buildings are due to be demolished it is now moving to a temporary location. Last year councillors approved plans for the library to be co-located in the new hub being constructed by the Twizel Community Care Trust. Councillors approved council entering into a lease with the Trust for space to house and operate the library, and delegated the finalisation of the details to the CEO.
Community Projects Grant Partnership
The Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury has offered to contribute additional funding to the Creative Communities Scheme which is administered by Council and which provides grants to community groups for arts activities. Staff requested the go-ahead to develop draft criteria for grants fund totalling $60,000 which is included in this year’s budget, aimed at supporting community initiatives, in order that the first funding round could be held before the end of the current financial year. The Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury are also offering to enter a co-funding agreement with Council to increase the funds available to the community and staff requested council approval to formalise an agreement with the Trust. Councillors decided that they would prefer to discuss these matters at an upcoming workshop and voted to defer their decision until a later date.
Livestreaming Meetings and Workshops
Meetings of the full Council and of Committees are currently livestreamed and the subsequent videos published on Council’s Vimeo channel. Elected members considered whether to extend the livestream service to Community Boards and Council workshops. Councillors voted to maintain the current situation, and not to extend streaming and recording to workshops and community board meetings.