|
Who what where Horizons Regional Council manages the natural resources of the Horizons (Manawatu-Wanganui) region. We are responsible for: - managing use of natural resources – land, water, air, coast and habitat protection
- regulatory management (resource consents)
- emergency management, biosecurity, Tb vector control and flood protection
- passenger transport, transport planning, road safety and Total Mobility.
While your city or district council is responsible for community services in your area, like road maintenance, libraries, recreation areas, land use and subdivisions, your regional council manages the natural resources and does so across several city/district council boundaries. Because these activities often cover large geographic areas, Horizons manages them for the benefit of the whole region. Although our roles are different, we work closely with city and district councils on some issues. Our Council, made up of 12 elected Councillors decide our overall policies, while management decides how the activities should be carried out. Our Region The Tararua, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Rangitikei, Wanganui and Ruapehu districts and Palmerston North City are within our regional boundary, along with part of the Waitomo, Taupo and Stratford districts. See our people and places for more information and a map of the Region. What we doManaging our environment A large percentage of our work is done in this area. It covers five main activities: - land management
- water quantity and quality management (ground and surface water)
- habitat protection
- regulatory (resource consents and environmental compliance) and strategic management.
Air, coast, pest plant and pest animal management and waste issues are also part of this group of activities. Keeping people safe We have responsibilities to manage risk from natural and man-made hazards in the Region. Our key role is to identify potential hazards and risks to people, property, infrastructure, the environment and the economy in four areas: biosecurity, Tb vector control, flood protection and emergency management. Getting people places We plan passenger transport services for the Region; subsidise bus services in areas where they cannot be provided commercially; manage the Total Mobility service which provides transport for people who are not able to use public passenger transport; organise community road safety education and activities; and coordinate the Regional Land Transport Committee. How we plan our work
Acts of Parliament such as the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) and the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) provide the framework for our work. However, the LGA does not rigidly set our activities, so if the community wants us to do something and is prepared to pay for it, we can do it. The process looks like this: Annual consultation with our communities determines what they want us to do ↓ The community’s wants are debated by Council ↓ Specific activities and budgets are set out in a Community Plan (every 6 years) or Annual Plan (in the years between Community Plans)
|