Within the Timaru District, the Geraldine ward spans from the upper Rangitata valley to Orari and west to Kakahu and is represented by a Geraldine ward councillor and six community board members, all elected for a three-year term.  The current Geraldine Community Board (GCB) is:

The current councillor is Gavin Oliver.

In addition to representing Geraldine at council, the Councillor also takes a district-wide view on topics while the community board’s role is solely to represent Geraldine and advocate on its behalf to council.  The board considers topics and matters put to it by council which are of interest to the community, and it maintains an overview of the services provided by council within the community.

One key area fulfilled by the Community Board is connecting with local organisations and special interest groups.   A number of Geraldine based organisations appoint a representative from the community board onto their governing committee, to ensure good knowledge and understanding between the community board and that organisation.

Additionally, most community board members are very active in the community in their own right, being members of clubs and groups and as contributors to key projects.

The GCB enjoys a close and productive working relationship with council officers, helping to identify any changes and improvements for the Geraldine community which are then executed by council staff.  Recent successes include:

• Funding and execution of Strategic Plan for Geraldine
• CBD Furniture and bin upgrade
• Welcome to Geraldine Plinth on Winchester Highway entrance to Geraldine
• Upgrade of Cox Street carpark
• $200k LTP funding for further CBD refresh
• Support for Geraldine Domain redevelopment, Medical Centre, Geraldine Sculpture Trail
• New footpathes for Woodbury and Peel Forest
• Geraldine domain pavilion refresh
• Geraldine Transportation Strategy
• Queen's Jubilee Tree Planting

Background:

Community boards were created by the local government reforms in 1989.  Some 110 community boards now operate in both urban and rural areas within local authorities throughout New Zealand.  They carry out functions and exercise those powers delegated to them by their councils. (Local Government NZ)

The purpose of a community board is to:

• represent and act as an advocate for the interests of the community;
• consider and report on any matter referred to it by their council, and any issues of interest to the community board;
• make an annual submission to their council on expenditure;
• maintain an overview of services provided by their council within the community; and
• communicate with community organisations and special interest groups in the community, and undertake any other responsibilities delegated by their council.