Democracy has spoken.

Now it is time for your council to make decisions for the betterment of all the residents of the Ashburton district. All the campaign promises made now hit the reality of different opinions, budget constraints, and regulations.

We need to keep maintaining our roading network, make sure our drinking water, wastewater and storm water are governed competently within the standalone business unit you, as ratepayers, wanted.

All our district domains and gardens must be looked after, and other public buildings and facilities must be maintained properly.
On top of this we are building a new road to connect the long-awaited new bridge.

In the next few months, we as councillors will have to balance these competing wants with the finite rate income we collect. It will not be easy.

On a positive note, the Ashburton A&P show was great. As an attendee for over 50 years, I always enjoy meeting friends and viewing all traditional farming competitions, shearing, dog trialling, show jumping, dressage, stock competitions, and a few new ones. I am not sure there will be any chilli on the menus for several of the chilli-eating competitors for a while.

It was great to smell and taste the flavours from the traditional umu or food oven.

The show is a barometer of the health of our district. Strong businesses lead to good employment and a healthy vibrant community.

My weekend was capped off with the entertaining Rockzilla show put on by Variety Theatre Ashburton at the Ashburton Events Centre. So much talent on display.

What a great district we live in.