Councillors outline their priorities

As the electoral term gets underway, the Marlborough Weekly asked each Marlborough District Councillor what their priorities are for the next three years.

Brian Dawson
I am very pleased to be re-elected and have the support of the community in returning to my role at Council. My priorities will be seeing our side of the ferries project through to a conclusion. Making sure the separation of Council’s water into a new entity is done well and we put the right people in place to delivery to the standard our residents expect. Our town centre needs to be refreshed and that work is underway. We need to complete the rebuild of Marlborough Sounds roads and continue to work on climate change adaption.

John Hyndman
It was a demanding couple of months leading up to the election and I am delighted to have been elected.  My thanks to all who helped.  My main focus during the next three years will be to minimize the rates burden and reduce waste and inefficiencies – all without significantly reducing services. This won’t be an easy task, but I will do my best.  I will also advocate for council transparency and accountability.  I will support small businesses by working to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and provide an environment for them to thrive and prosper. I will act in the best interests of Marlborough and all Marlburians.

Malcolm Taylor
I am thrilled that the people of the Marlborough Sounds Ward have chosen me as one of their representatives for the next three years.  My aims are to see that essential infrastructure such as high-quality water services, roading throughout the sounds, and flood protection schemes are maintained to the highest quality.  To restore accountability to council by ensuring that council is open and transparent in order for ratepayers to be fully informed on council activities.  To reduce rates rises from the existing high levels down to more affordable levels as soon as practicable by putting an end to wasteful spending.

Barbara Faulls
I am very grateful for the support I received. It was a long drawn-out election process! The next three years will require careful and considered governance with the WSO coming into being, the Sounds roads moving from Tranche 2 to the third and final stage, the future ferries project ramping up and upgrades to our CBDs being planned. In addition to these exciting projects there will be the “business as usual”... all the little things that keep Marlborough moving forward. As always, I will involving myself in the environmental space and hope, alongside Clr Raylene Innes to further the conversation round the integrated management of the Sounds.

Benjamin Stace
It’s an honour to be elected as a Marlborough District Councillor for the Blenheim Ward. Thank you to all my supporters. My core focus this term is ensuring fiscal responsibility and a strong return on investment for all ratepayers. Beyond the current upgrades planned, I will champion further CBD revitalisation, transforming the Market Place and Rotunda into a vibrant, central meeting space. This will crucially link key town assets like the library and Seymour Square. Finally, I hope to work with fellow councillors on being more accessible to the public—the more we hear your voices, the better we can serve the community

Scott Adams
It’s a privilege to be around the council table representing the communities of Marlborough, both rural and urban for another term. One big project that I am pleased to see started is the repairs and improvement to the river protection stopbanks at Spring Creek. It will be great to see this project completed this term. The other piece of  river work that needs to be started this term is the review of the Wairau River flood protection scheme. This is urgently needed as it will be over 30 years since that last review. On a roading front, it’s great to see the Sounds roads repairs being on track to be completed after the devastating 2021 and 2022 storm events.

David Croad
Firstly I would like to thank the community for the amazing support in this year’s election.  My aim for the council in the next three years is delivering on the content of our 24-34 LTP whilst working on a strategic refresh that will feed into the development of a new LTP for 2027-37.  A key focus of the current plan is delivering the core infrastructure projects across roading, water services, waste management and community services and facilities, while maintaining momentum on the Sounds Road recovery, Spring Creek stopbank rebuild and the setting up of the Water Services organisation. I look forward to supporting the new Council group and am committed to making good decisions that will ensure long term value for the people of Marlborough.

Gerald Hope
Congratulations new councillors. You will be joining an effective council that is well supported by staff. Mayor Taylor has refreshed standing committees with my role switching from Environment to chairing the new Strategy & Community Partnership Committee. There is significant change coming with Resource Management and Local Government reform being rolled out before Christmas. The Water Services Organisation must be operational by 1 July 2027.  Our job is to ensure Marlborough’s best interests are protected. My experience and commitment will support the Mayor in managing central Government change to ensure we continue to build a strong, resilient and sustainable region.

Thelma Sowman
Prioritising our spending to meet our long-term aspirations and keeping rates to a manageable level. I am looking forward to the progress of the new ferries project and the completion of work on the Sounds roads. The CBD refresh is an exciting project which will get under way early next year and along with that I would like to see a longer free parking period in the CBD. I will continue to help ensure we are doing the best we can to protect our precious environment for the present and future. I am looking forward to working as part of our Council team to make Marlborough a safe place to live.

Deborah Dalliessi
As a returning councillor, my priorities focus on strengthening engagement and community voice. I am keen on improving transparency and accountability, including, my personal pledge, exploring public reporting of how councillors vote on key issues, like Christchurch’s How They Voted model. I will continue to stay focused on the fluoridation issue, seeking a full council paper and advocate as Rotorua Lakes District Council did for the directive to fluoridate water locally to be withdrawn until there has been a public enquiry into the latest scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of water fluoridation reported back to Parliament.  I am also keen to push for a review of some external service contracts to determine whether bringing some services in-house could save the ratepayer money and produce stronger financial outcomes.

Sally Arbuckle and Cyril Dawson were approached for comments.