High interest in Regional Forum

Expressions of interest to join the Regional Forum closed on Friday and 60 applications were received.

Environment Southland's Regional Forum Lead Rhiannon Suter says this is a wonderful response from the community. We are very lucky to have so many people willing to contribute to ensuring Southland continues to thrive into the future. It is awesome to see the community interest, passion and skills of those who have put their names forward.

A selection panel includes Environment Southland Chairman Nicol Horrell, Councillors Lyndal Ludlow and Jeremy McPhail and Te Ao Marama Inc. Board Chairman Don Mowat and member Gail Thompson. They will shortlist candidates and then meet with those candidates at a workshop on 6 March.

Following the workshop, the panel will put forward their recommendations to the Council and the Te Ao Marama Board. Final decisions will be announced around 18 March.

It's expected that the Regional Forum will be made up of between 10 and 20 individuals.

Those selected will then be straight to work, with the first workshop being held at Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff on 4 and 5 April.

For more information on the Regional Forum go to http://waterandland.es.govt.nz/about/rolling-out-p...