Central Otago District Council (CODC) at its meeting yesterday (Wednesday, August 30th) unanimously approved a proposal to add a poppy to name blades of roads named after individuals who have served in the military.

The council was approached by the Alexandra-Clyde Returned and Services Association (RSA) to take part in the Places of Remembrance Project being managed by New Zealand Poppy Places Trust. The project provided a place where individual contributions and stories were linked to a physical place by the placement of a poppy on the road name blade. 

The Royal New Zealand RSA approved the use of the poppy and the Minister of Transport, through Waka Kotahi, had authorised the poppy logo to be placed on the street name blades.

CODC infrastructure manager Quinton Penniall said the project was being proposed for the Alexandra-Clyde area but staff were bringing it to council for consideration should it be approached by other RSA groups to be included.

“It’s a great idea,” deputy mayor Neil Gillespie said.

“I think it’s a great option,” agreed Cr Stu Duncan.

First-Past-the-Post retained

CODC voted during an electoral system review to retain the First-Past-the-Post voting system and give public notice of the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used.

Historically, First-Past-the-Post was the only electoral system used for all local authority elections in New Zealand, but changes to legislation in 2001 made Single Transferable Voting optional. Central Otago District Council utilises the First-Past-the-Post system, as do the majority of local authorities in the country, but can choose to use the Single Transferable Voting system instead.

Discussion around the council table followed by a poll of councillor opinions by Mayor Tim Cadogan indicated that no need was seen to change the status quo.

Cr Tamah Alley said she had done some research but could not see that either system increased voter turnout over the other.

Deputy mayor Neil Gillespie said he was not convinced anything was broken and needed to be fixed, a sentiment echoed by others.

“I don’t think we need to complicate it,” Cr Cheryl Laws said, adding that the main concern was getting people to vote.