My name is Andrew McMillan and I am standing in the 2010 Local Body Elections as a candidate for both Mayor and Councillor of the Timaru District Council (TDC). I have an education background in Science and Philosophy and a commercial background in Information Technology and Energy. I believe that I have a unique and valuable set of skills that will enable me to be a competent and contributing member of Council.

I am a fresh face, with fresh ideas. I am passionate about people, the societies that we live in and the environment that surrounds us. I am driven to inspire people towards being more inclusive and forward thinking, while being respectful of the efforts that have got us this far.

The three founding principles that I'm standing on are fiscal responsibility, advancing democracy and openness, and supporting a healthy District. I would love to have your support so together we can lead the Timaru District Council towards a brighter future.

I ask for your support, first and foremost, by voting Andrew McMillan for Council.

McMillan for Mayor

Elections are about choice. Under our current local body rules, the voting public are given the right to choose every three years. It would be an absolute travesty if there was no choice available at the ultimate level of the Timaru District Council. It is for this reason that I present myself as a Mayoral candidate. I believe that my policy is in clear contrast to the direction that the outgoing Council has set. I believe that with my fresh face and fresh perspectives, we can make a real difference to the running of the Council. I believe that a $23 million aquatic centre is not value for money and I believe that we need to work alongside ECan to promote a prosperous Timaru District. Standing as an Independent, I am prepared to work with all denominations to advance democracy, a healthy District and a change in fiscal direction.

My Pledge Card

• 1. Fiscal Responsibility

  Council Spending

  As at the 31st March 2010, the Council currently has total liabilities valued at $58 million. By 2016 this is projected to blow out to $158 million. In terms of total liabilities to total assets (debt asset ratio) this represents a slide from 8% to a projected 16%. In 2016 there are only 4 of the 56 District Councils in the country projecting to have a worse debt asset ratio, namely: South Taranaki, Kapiti Coast, Rodney, and Queenstown-Lakes District Councils.

  I believe that it is wrong to chalk up "Rolls Royce" solutions where more economical solutions will suffice, especially when it is future generations who'll be picking up the tab. If elected I will either vote to reduce the quantity of spending or vote to increase rates. If we can't afford it now then we certainly won't be able to afford it in ten years time when a large proportion of the baby boomers will move from employment to retirement.

  Sustainable Development of Infrastructure

  Large percentages of roads, bridges, sewers and waste water facilities are nearing their end of life and require extensive maintenance or replacement. At the time that this infrastructure was built, the District was going through an expansive phase and now it's reaching end of life all at once. The bulk of the required infrastructure spend cannot be avoided, but there are some areas where savings can be made.

  The North Street overbridge is an example of an infrastructure investment that was always controversial and now the drivers for its construction are questionable. Both KiwiRail and Prime Port backed the project as essential for continued growth of the port and surrounding industry. With the departure of Fonterra's container freight, I support postponing or abandoning the North Street overbridge altogether.

• 2. Advancing Democracy and Openness

  Supporting closer ties to ECan

  The Creech report highlighted a very poor relationship between ECan and the Territorial Authorities, including the Timaru District. The report called for "a deeper common understanding and a commitment to move forward in a constructive manner ... for the benefit of the region's communities". I wholeheartedly endorse that.

  Over the past few years, the Timaru District Council along with Waimate, MacKenzie and the Ashburton District Councils have talked about forming their own Regional authority to replace ECan. Last year I attended a meeting chaired by former ECan Councillor Mark Oldfield, who hosted the Tasman District Council's Mayor, Richard Kempthorne. The purpose of the meeting was to investigate how the Tasman District Council functions as a Unitary authority.

  I fully support such investigations and discussions. It's important that we are able to talk about how we can be best represented and served. However I argue that it is even more important that while ECan is the Regional Authority for the Timaru District Council area, that the Timaru District Council make every effort to work in a cooperative way with ECan. It is for the benefit of our community.

  More Council documents available on-line

  The Council has an obligation to provide a web site and to make certain documents available to the public. During the course of this year, they have updated the site with a new design and have finally started making some progress in terms of organisation and the types of information available.

  As an example, meeting agendas and minutes are now available for the 2010 year to date. But there is room for improvement. Agendas need to be up prior to the meetings, and the minutes for meetings prior to 2010 need to be made available. Reports attached to agendas also need to be included.

  Not only could the minutes be made available, but a summary of key decisions. Also a summary of which Councillor voted for which motion and why. We shouldn't be relying on sporadic reporting from the Timaru Herald for this.

  Over the years, the council has had an increasing obligation to seek feedback from the public. I argue that the better the Council the informs the public through the use of the web site, the better the feedback will be.

  Listening to your submissions

  When 70% 90% of over 3,000 submissions say what you're planning is too expensive then I feel it pays to listen. This is the number of submissions that were returned in response to the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre consultation phase on costings.

  Prior to the consultation phase, Ashley Harper the District Services Manager was quoted in the Otago Daily Times as saying:

  The final design will reflect new costings and we will want to be sure the public is happy with any new figure.

  
  

  If you're going to have a consultation phase and ask the public for their opinion, then you have to be prepared to listen to their response. In the case of the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre this didn't happen. If elected I will do my best to ensure the Council listens to your submissions.

• Update: On obtaining the review of submissions from the TDC I note that there were 3,186 valid submissions received with only 298 (9.3%) of those submissions in support. Of the remaining 2,888 (90.6%) submissions 2,198 (69%) were opposed outright, 656 (20.6%) were opposed to the $1.5 million fitness centre and 34 (1.1%) supported the fitness centre but not the aquatic centre. So it's fair to say that 90% of over 3,000 submissions said what you're planning is too expensive.

• 3. Supporting a Healthy District

  Progress on Air Quality

  PM10 refers to airborne pollutants that are less than 10 microns in diameter (the average human hair is 50 microns in diameter). These particulates are too small to be trapped in the nasal passage and end up in our lungs when we breath.

  The number of annual deaths related to PM10 exposure has been estimated at around 700 per year by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. This is on par with the number of deaths from both breast and prostate cancer and is double the number of deaths on the road.

  Peoples quality of life can also suffer as a result of PM10 exposure. Common effects include irritation of the nose, throat and lungs and sufferers of asthma and bronchitis can suffer adverse effects. Every winter hospitals and doctors have to deal with patients that are directly or indirectly suffering from effects due to PM10 exposure.

  ECan estimates that over 90% of the PM10 particle pollution in Timaru, Geraldine and Temuka comes from open fires and old and inefficient burners. The guidelines for the allowable annual level of PM10 pollutants in the air is currently under review.

  I strongly support the Timaru District Council working alongside ECan to ensure we can work towards achieving compliance of whatever guidelines are finally settled on.

  Progress on Drinking Water

  I strongly support the Council working towards supplying drinking water that meets the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand. This will however, have a considerable effect on the cost of supplying water, with most treatment facilities requiring upgrading.

  Therefore, I also support the Council working towards reclaiming a portion of that cost through a targeted rate via water metering. This will not only offset costs but will give an economic incentive for rate payers to conserve water.

  Progress on Waste Management

  The Council has a target of reducing waste to landfill to zero by 2015. Currently 35,000 tonnes of waste end up in the landfill each year. A zero waste target is a great sentiment but as a target it is totally unrealistic and unachievable. I support the implementation of a target that is firstly achievable and secondly that presents a challenge.

  The three bin recycling system has made a huge impact on the quantities of waste going into the landfill. With further education and support the system can be further fine-tuned but it will never achieve the goal of zero waste. The Council needs further innovation if it wants to make a substantial hole in the remaining 35,000 tonnes.

• 4. Further Items

  Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre

  With the main contract for the construction of the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre already awarded, there is now no going back on this project. However, the $23 million spend contrasts starkly with the Selwyn District Council's recent decision to go ahead with a $12 million aquatic centre to be built at Rolleston. The difference is the Rolleston centre will have 8 swimming lanes (as opposed to 10), no gym, no creche and no cafe but it will have separate learning and leisure pools, the option to add a gym and indoor sports complex at a later date and is priced to cost $11 million less with only $6 million from loans. One of these centres represents value for money, the other illustrates the extravagance that the outgoing council is prepared to go to. I will support the completion of the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre but I will not support any future initiatives that are totally out of proportion in comparison to what other Local Governments are doing.

  Evans Street

  The safety of all road users needs to be the primary focus for future Evans Street developments. Currently, pedestrians cannot cross the road, cyclists don't have safe access, and merge lanes for vehicles are both poorly designed and poorly signposted. I support working with Transport Agency to ensure safety and access are priorities for Evans Street and State Highway 1.

  Bells on Bikes

  I support a programme, or even a by-law change, to encourage all cyclists to have bells fitted to their bikes.

  Sunshine Coach

  I support a Council funded Community Coach to replace the now defunct Sunshine Coach and lifting the of the age restrictions that the Sunshine Coach had on its use.

  Hazardous Waste

  There's no point in pretending hazardous waste doesn't go in the red bin and straight to the landfill. I support the council providing hazardous waste facilities and to make them as convenient as possible so that they are actually used.

  Alternative Transport

  Promoting the use of walking, cycling and public transport both for recreation and transportation needs.

  Biodiversity Funding

  I support setting aside funding for projects that look to retain or enhance some of the District's unique and precious biodiversity.

  Hydro Grand

  I support a new development on the existing site if and only if it retains some of the character and grandiose that the Hydro Grand once had.

  Pareora Dam

  I propose that the TDC and ECan co-commission a report, which includes a public submission phase, to help determine the Ownership, Safety and Future of the Pareora Dam.

Positioning

Just to clear up where I stand in terms of Party affiliation. I am currently the Green Party spokesperson for Rangitata and I am very proud to be both the spokesperson and a member of the Green Party.

However, for the Local Body Elections I am standing as an Independent. I see this as being very important because if elected I will need to work with all of the other Councillors in an open and fair manner, in the interests of the Timaru District. I feel that standing as an Independent leaves me to work towards those goals unencumbered.
 
Standing as an Independent has also allowed me to formulate and put forward my own policies, although I feel that they do dovetail nicely with Green Party policy. I have been working on policy with the intention of standing in the Local Body Elections over the past year. To now be in a position where I can present myself and my ideas to the public is very exciting.

Important Dates

• 23 July 2010 - Nominations open and Electoral Roll opens for inspection

• 20 August 2010 - Nominations close and Electoral Roll closes

• 17 September 2010 - Delivery of voting documents begins

• 9 October 2010 - Voting closes and preliminary results announced

• 13 October 2010 - Declaration/Public Notice of results

Seeking Your Support

Primarily I'm after your vote, but if you believe in my campaign or if you'd like to offer your assistance then there here are some ways in which you can help:

1. Ask me to attend your meeting

If you have a special interest group that you would like me to be aware of or feel that you need issues raised at a public level then I'd love to receive an invite to attend your meeting. Please note that I am currently employed full-time so availability during normal work hours is limited.

2. Ask me to speak at your meeting

Likewise, if you have a special interest group and would like to hear more about my campaign then feel free to contact me. If I'm not aware of your group and its particular interests then an open discussion might be more appropriate than a strictly speaking engagement.

3. Offer to distribute fliers

I want to visit as many people as I can during the campaign and I also want to deliver fliers to as many households as possible. There's two constraints on delivering fliers, the cost to produce them and the time to distribute them. That's why I'm after my Foot Soldiers, who will brave all types of weather to deliver the message. If Boot Camp's the place for you, then sign up by contacting me via my details at the bottom of the page.

4. Offer to carry out phone surveys

As well as fliers, I want to contact the public directly to get a better handle on the pulse of the District. If you've got a good phone manner and some free time up your sleeve, then you can be of real assistance to the campaign. If this is you then flick me an email, using the address at the bottom of the page.

5. Offer financial assistance

Every campaign runs better with an ample supply of oil and I'm currently running this one on the smell of an oily rag. If you've got the good oil running in your pockets then I'd be as happy as punch if you were prepared to make a small contribution.

6. Add me on Facebook

Facebook is an excellent social networking tool. It allows people to communicate and share news and ideas like never before. It also not only allows me to directly broadcast to you, but gives me the opportunity to find your views on topical issues.

Preferably, I have a Politician page that you can Like:

Or if you want a more intimate connection you can request to be my Friend:

Contact Details

Please note that I'm currently in full-time employment and would ask that out of respect, phone calls are made outside of normal work hours (8:00 to 17:00) where possible.

Postal Address: Andrew McMillan, PO Box 194, Timaru 7940
Cell Phone: +64 21 170 2647
Email: andymc47@hotmail.com

Authorised by Andrew McMillan, 2/30 St George Street, Timaru