Housing is the single biggest issue facing our community at every level of the community.

It’s not just about addressing the needs of executives or professionals, whom most homes are built for. It’s also about the people on minimum wages who are struggling most.

Councils must take a proactive approach, drawing lessons from Rotorua’s recent housing success, and apply those strategies here.

Rates are another concern. Instead of pouring money into vanity projects, Invercargill council should focus on the basics.

If we build more dwellings, more households will contribute through rates, which in turn will ease the burden on everyone. With greater supply, rents will stabilize, and costs of living can begin to come down.

Road safety is another issue that’s been brushed aside for too long.

Residents have been told, year after year, that improvements aren’t in the budget.

Yet examples like Earn and Islington Streets prove that when there’s genuine willpower, solutions can be found.

Communities shouldn’t have to wait for tragedy before action is taken.

Equity in services is also critical.

We can’t allow spending decisions to be determined by postcode.

Every neighborhood deserves reliable access to essentials, from well-maintained public toilets, moment majority of them are north of Tay st and Otatara. Parks 22 + , 2 are South of Tay St.

Elizabeth Park could easily be developed into an adventure hub for all ages. It wouldn’t require enormous spending, just a commitment to fairness and creativity.

Example Walk ways, to basket & pickle ball courts.

Finally, transparency must return to council.

Closed-door meetings and concealed discussions about public submissions erode trust.

People deserve accountability, even when it’s uncomfortable for leadership. An open council may face criticism, but it will also earn respect.

The path forward is simple: prioritize housing, fairness, safety, and transparency.

These aren’t luxuries.

They’re the fundamentals of a council that truly serves its people.

Authorised by Thomas Morton, [email protected]

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