Matt Cowley Tauranga City Councillor

Thanks to all those who people who have contributed to many conversations during the last three years by contacting me either in person, or by phone, email or social media.

Some of my highlights during my first term on council were committing to projects that have been strung out during the last 20 years, such as the city centre university, marine precinct and Greerton library.

I supported focusing on lifting residents' pride in the city with more events, more public art, and easier ways for residents to know what's happening in their communities through better online communications. It's far from perfect, but I'm pleased council is now heading in the right direction.

Another highlight was council's new approach to dealing with local flooding. Council is reestablishing natural flow paths where councils in the past let people build on top of them – in addition to other initiatives underway.

There is a lot of work to be done on how the city will accommodate 200,000 people by 2060.

This will require quality thinking on where these residents will live, how they'll get around, how they'll earn a living, and what they'll do for fun with their friends and family.

Finally, please encourage your friends, family and workmates get enrolled before August to vote in October's local council elections.

Feel free to email me your thoughts (matt.cowley@tauranga.govt.nz), call/text me on 0276989548, and follow me at www.facebook.com/a.younger.voice.