Selwyn District Council

Went for the future of Selwyn's submission presentation today. Good to see that the district is thinking longer term. The council building have good facilities and the reception staff is very helpful. Went to the AA for a photo identification. The lady at the desk was very efficient and it took only 5 minutes. But there was a long line with people waiting for driving license related services. They need more staff and a better software process to make the service time less.

They can't maintain roads, which causes damage to vehicles, and then they hold you liable for your own car to get fixed yourself even tho you pay road users and it nearly ended in a most likely fatal crash in 100k area. I wouldn't buy in the district they can't keep up with roads but quick to make you pay rate have contacted Stuff media!!!

stupid council decides not to add traffic lights anywhere and instead decides to add more housing creating even more traffic

Utterly incompetent and uncaring, no consequence for failures means no incentive to perform. Any complaints are met with a customer blaming attitude or a 'not our responsibility' mentality. Building consents timeframes are constantly in breach of the RMA yet there is no action or plan to improve this. Bins regularly not emptied properly. No cohesion between NZTA and local roads due to lack of planning and forward thinking. Regularly contradict their own planning zones to allow changes against the will of locals. Seems to be getting worse as the years go on, I have lost any confidence I once had with the SDC.

Overall, they seem to be doing OK (compared to Auckland Council that is). Interaction with Front office staff friendly while sorting out things for a rental. Email Communication responded to very quickly. Haven't had to chase them up. Only criticisms is LIM report was delivered a day late. Rates are perhaps on the high side.