About 150 people turned up at the Tinwald Domain on Saturday to look around the ageing Tinwald Pool and talk about future options for outdoor water play in the Ashburton District.

Mayor Neil Brown was pleased at the turnout to the event, which is part of Council’s Long Term Plan consultation.

“It was a good crowd and steady throughout the four hours. People came along for a look through the Tinwald Pool, asked their questions and then stopped by our sausage sizzle.

“The Tinwald Pool needs major repairs and some definitely want it to stay, but others see that money better spent elsewhere.”

Mayor Brown, deputy mayor Liz McMillan and councillors Leen Braam and Lynette Lovett attended, along with senior Council staff.

“We appreciated the chance to hear directly from people inside Tinwald and the wider district about their concerns and ideas around this water play option.

“The important thing now is that people make a submission to our draft Long Term Plan.”

Anyone who missed the LTP sausage sizzle on Saturday will have more opportunities to engage with councillors before the consultation period ends on 28 April.

Council will host a BBQ at Baring Square East this Saturday 13 April, from 10am-2pm, and Balmoral Hall will also be open during this time.

“The hall is just two blocks away from Baring Square so we are opening it up for people to have a look around and see what needs to be done there. Then, if they have questions, they can come and chat to us,” Mayor Brown said.

An extra community meeting has also been added to the consultation calendar, taking the total number of engagement events to 30.

Mayor Brown said Council had responded to a request from the Hakatere Huts community for a meeting at their patch, and one had been organised for Thursday 11 April, at 6.30pm.

“The Long Term Plan is a document that affects everyone in the district and we want to talk to as many people as possible, and encourage them to submit on the priorities and services we will need in the next 10 years.”

See more information about the Long Term Plan, and five key decisions, at ItsOurPlace.nz