A drop-in session at the Tinwald Pool is planned for early April as part of wide-ranging consultation about Council’s Long Term Plan.

The pool was closed this summer because of plant failure, leaks and lifeguard shortages, and an estimated $3 million refurbishment is one of five possible options proposed in the Long Term Plan, which will be out for community feedback on 27 March.

Group Manager Democracy and Engagement Toni Durham said the drop-in session at Tinwald Pool was a chance for people to ask questions about the pool and the alternative options on offer.

“We’ll have a barbecue running at the Tinwald Pool, and Councillors and staff will be walking groups through the pool facility, explaining what needs to be repaired to bring it up to scratch. People can have a really good look and ask questions.”

A range of informal pop-up events and barbecues are planned as part of a month-long consultation programme, which also includes traditional public meetings for Ashburton, Mt Somers, Methven and Rakaia, where Councillors will talk about the draft Long Term Plan and proposed average rate rise of 9.9 per cent for 2024-25. A stockwater focused meeting will be held at HInds.

Council has five key decisions it is looking for feedback on, though people can make submissions on any part of the plan.

Mrs Durham said Council was looking for the community's thoughts on a greenwaste  collection, more indoor courts for EA Networks Centre, and the future of Balmoral Hall and the old Polytech land, and stockwater.

“It's important that we engage with as many people as possible, so we’ve been in touch with community groups like Greypower and service clubs to see if we can present at their meetings. We’ve reached out to groups across the district and the calendar is starting to fill up, but if your group or organisation would like a visit, let us know.

“We’re also heading to secondary schools to talk with senior students as they will form the next generation of ratepayers and we want to make sure we hear from them.

“Another feature of this Long Term Plan is how we are gathering feedback. People will be able to make submissions on our paper consultation documents as in the past, but for the first time we are using an online platform called Social Pinpoint which will make it easier for people to give feedback, ask questions and generally access more information.”

From late March, all the details of Council’s draft Long Term Plan and how to give feedback will be at itsourplace.nz.