TESTIMONIAL 2022
Endorsement from Councillor Paula Thompson
Three years ago, I was pleased to provide my colleague Jane with a testimonial as to my opinion of her vast experience and many skills as a Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor.
Jane is standing again for the Western BOP Constituency of the BOP Regional Council.
I stand by all my previous comments. I would however add the following.
Local Government is facing significant change as a result of a ‘rolling maul’ of central government reform.3 Waters, RMA reform, Future for Local Government (FFLG) and a plethora of new National direction for Freshwater, Indigenous biodiversity, Urban development, Climate Change….to name a few.
The FFLG panel will deliver to the Minister of local Government a draft report in October 2022 with a final report due in June 2023.The signals are pretty clear that functional and potentially structural change for local government is well and truly ‘on the cards.” This has and continues to create an environment of significant uncertainty and complexity. The Regional Council has until mid-2024 to develop in conjunction with Maori and communities a new regulatory framework for improving the quality and allocation of the region’s freshwater resources. This is a huge and complex task which will have complex interrelationships with also managing biodiversity-wetlands -urban development and further national direction under a proposed National Planning Framework.
Jane has been both a Commissioner and Councillor- heavily involved in Natural and Physical resource management. This has included development of the current Regional Policy Statement and various Plan Changes. Jane will be invaluable in the next term as the Council will need to focus on delivering a significant policy and work programme whilst ensuring the Councils strategic position is well placed to respond to the challenging operating environment.
Jane has been and continues to be the lead Councillor advocate for addressing Climate Change and reducing emissions. The next term will be pivotal to ensuring that urban development -particularly within the Western BOP subregion is ‘sustainable’ and that the needle is moved in terms of providing citizens with better transport choices -including public transport. This will be yet another significant challenge and will require exemplar community engagement.
Jane has been a lead Councillor also on the need for the Council to better engage with communities and enable greater participation in Councils functions. She continues to be a very strong supporter of volunteers and of community initiatives for protecting and enhancing the environment.
Jane’s vast experience, many skills and passion for the business of Council, are both exemplary and invaluable.
Paula Thompson.
Tauranga Constituency
Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
TESTIMONIAL 2019
Endorsement from Councillor Paula Thompson
I have worked alongside Jane on the Regional Council for 9 years.
Jane is an exceptionally hard working, capable and committed Councillor. She is both a strategic thinker and someone with a keen eye for detail. She is always extremely well prepared for all Council business and is a leader on debate and discussion. She has extremely well honed analytical abilities and is able to add significant value to all discussion and decision making of the Council. Jane is a person who always works respectfully with all her colleagues but she is also not afraid to form and voice her own well considered views.
Jane is a very experienced and effective RMA Commissioner and has sat on many Hearings Panels including the Regional Policy Statement –The Regional Coastal Environment Plan and the current Water Allocation Plan change. There is a ‘swarm ‘of environmental law reform that will impact Regional Councils over the next 12 months –including improving fresh water quality outcomes and allocating water more efficiently. Councillors will need to have a very good understanding of the reform intentions and the various decision making and legislative frameworks. It is likely to be a testing time as new regulation and environmental standards will be imposed and communities will need to be really effectively informed and engaged. Jane has always demonstrated deep consideration and concern for how the work of the Council may impact communities and the absolute need for excellent community communication and engagement.
For as long as I have worked with her on Council she has tirelessly championed the need for continuous improvement of Councils customer service.
Jane has long been an advocate of recognising the significance of Climate Change on current and future natural resources and communities and has advocated very strongly for the vital generational importance of dealing with this.
Jane has provided the Chair with very strong support in her role as Deputy Chair (6 years) and has never shied from taking on additional responsibilities as required. She is an extremely professional and respected Councillor among her colleagues.
Paula Thompson.
Tauranga Constituency
Bay of Plenty Regional Council.