Latest news with #StratfordDistrictCouncil
RNZ News
07-08-2025
- RNZ News
'A massacre': Two roaming dogs kill 50 backyard birds
Residents in the Taranaki town of Stratford are learning what it takes for animal control to act on dog attack reports, following a nocturnal mauling spree of backyard birds. Two dogs were impounded this week, after locals reported that two uncontrolled dogs have killed up to 50 neighbourhood hens and quails in the past month, and were spotted in the area by security camera footage. Lizzy and Daniel Waterson lost seven of their family pet chickens that were mauled or killed on 28 July. "Last Tuesday morning, we woke up and I checked the cameras on the phone and I saw two dogs in the backyard, and I was like, 'oh no'," Lizzy Waterson said. "I opened the curtains to see out the back a whole lot of feathers and chickens just everywhere. "It was kind of like a bit of a massacre." The family had to euthanise three chickens that were still just alive, she said. Lizzy Waterson said they reported the incident to the Stratford District Council's animal control team that morning, but had an unexpected response. "I pretty much just left in a rage when their manager popped her head in... [saying] that our footage is too grainy, it's black and white, it doesn't show the colour of the dog, it's not hard enough evidence," she said. "In a nutshell, unless you see the dog attacking something, they can't do anything about it. "It kind of counteracts getting evidence and video." She said after asking around and taking to social media, they later discovered neighbours in the area shared similar experiences recently where their backyard birds were attacked overnight by dogs. One neighbour told RNZ anonymously, dogs chewed through mesh wire to break into their bird aviary last month, killing six birds. They said it was "very upsetting" and many in the community were feeling "spooked" about dangerous roaming dogs. "How many families have to be affected for something to be done?," they asked. Another neighbour told RNZ she lost a dozen backyard birds killed by dogs last week, ones that had been raised since chicks as pets, and left their young child "horrified". They said they showed the district council footage from security cameras which displayed the dogs on the property that night, but say it was considered "not really good evidence". They said they had previously seen the suspected dogs jump their own fences and approach them in the streets. Daniel Waterson said the community was "so frustrated", as six properties were affected over a few days with the tally of dead birds up to 50. "We just don't want this to happen to anyone else," he said. "Well, it's only a matter of time until it's a young child." A Stratford District Council spokesperson said it had been in touch with a dog owner with animals similar to reported descriptions, and the dogs were impounded on Tuesday. It said some of the footage provided was not of a suitable quality to identify the dogs. "We received some video footage of dogs on an affected property but unfortunately that footage was not of a suitable quality to even identify the dogs," they said. "We received some additional video footage late yesterday [Monday] which has provided enough evidence to positively identify two dogs who have been impounded this morning [Tuesday]." They said evidence was needed before any formal action could be undertaken. "If footage is to be used as evidence of an event happening then it would either need to show that event taking place or be able to be used together with other evidence to show that the event has happened," the spokesperson said. "Often that evidence needs to be collected from a range of sources rather than a single piece being enough on its own." They said it was continuing to gather evidence and encouraged anybody with information to contact the council, which will inform the next steps in the investigation. The council has received 172 calls about roaming dogs in 2023-24 up from 157 the year prior, they said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Introducing Stratford's 2025 Citizen Awards
Stratford District Council is delighted to announce the Stratford district Citizen Awards recipients for 2025. The awards recognise the district's local champions who go above and beyond for the community. In an awards ceremony on 5 August, John McBride, Donn Buchanan, Donna van den Beuken and Glenys Campbell will be presented with a Citizen Award, while Justin Salisbury and Tatjana Hanne will be given Youth Citizen Awards. District Mayor Neil Volzke says he's not surprised to once again have a great group of community champions to celebrate in 2025. 'We know there are many people who have made huge contributions to the wellbeing of our community, and this year's recipients continue to reflect that community spirit,' says Neil. 'It's a privilege to meet with and learn about the people that make up the fabric of the Stratford district, and to show our support for the good work they do for others. These are people who help make Stratford a great place to live, work and play.' The Stratford District Council Citizens Awards formally recognise individuals that give their time and energy to the Stratford community. Specifically, recipients of the award have shown leadership, inspiration, or devotion to a cause (or more), and in doing so have contributed positively to the well-being of our district and to the people who live here.
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Represent! Be A Voice For Your Community. Council Nominations Open Soon
Stratford District Council (SDC) is urging anyone passionate about their district and committed to helping it thrive as one of the best places to live in Aotearoa New Zealand to stand for local council when nominations open on Friday 4 July 2025. SDC Chief Executive Sven Hanne says elected members play a big role in the everyday lives of families, businesses, community groups, and everyone who lives, works, invests, or plays in the heart of Taranaki. 'Rates, roads, waste, and water are often top-of-mind when people think about their local council, but elected members govern so much more on behalf of their community,' says Sven. 'Leading economic and community development, our parks and playgrounds, local recreational facilities, grants and funding, and more, are all part of the challenging and rewarding work they do.' 'If you're thinking about standing, or you're feeling curious about the process or the roles and responsibilities of elected members, come to our Candidate Information Day. It's a relaxed session early in the nomination period so you can learn more and ask questions before you put your hat in the ring,' says Sven. SDC's Candidate Information Day is on Saturday, 5 July from 12pm - 2pm in Council Chambers, 63 Miranda Street, Stratford. During the session, Sven will present alongside Election Officer Dale Ofsoske and Taranaki Regional Council Director Corporate Services Mike Nield. Event details are available at Council nominations are open from Friday 4 July, to noon on Friday 1 August. Elections will be held in September, for the position of district mayor and 11 councillors, including 6 from the Urban Ward, 4 from the Rural Ward, and 1 Māori Ward councillor. People must be 18 or older to run for council, enrolled to vote, a New Zealand citizen, and be nominated by two residents from the ward or area they want to stand in. 'We've got some incredibly talented and community-focused people in our district, but we know people here can be pretty humble too,' says Sven. 'You might not think you have the experience needed to be a part of council, but everyone will bring something different to the table, and it's that diversity of skills and perspectives that'll help us navigate the challenges and exciting opportunities ahead.' More information about standing for council is available at Nomination forms will be available during the nomination period from SDC's Service Centre at 63 Miranda Street, Stratford, and online at
BBC News
22-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stratford-upon-Avon BBQ plea sees people urged to use takeaways
People have been asked to buy food and drink from takeaway restaurants rather than use disposable barbecues in District Council urged people not to use disposable appliances in any green space this summer because of environmental and safety hazards, and also warned of the dangers of lighting years have seen visitors and residents using throwaway barbecues on the Recreation Ground, in Welcombe Hills, Clopton Park and other green spaces.A council spokesman said the barbecues took several hours to fully cool, which meant they were often left where they were, or left in or near a litter bin, presenting a "significant danger". "The district council urges anyone thinking of using a disposable barbeque on green spaces within the district to instead purchase food and drinks from many of the local takeaway restaurants," he incident in 2023 saw the contents of a waste lorry set on fire after a barbecue was put in a recycling bin, he barbecues had caused forest fires elsewhere across the country, he appliances cannot be recycled, he said, adding that burning charcoal also released pollutants. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Putting The Prosperous Back In Stratford's Prospero Place
Stratford District Council (SDC) is giving some love to the heart of Stratford by making upgrades to Prospero Place - the town centre, and is calling for community feedback on the draft designs. From humble beginnings as a small town square tucked away and out of view from the main highway, to the prominent green space now taking centre stage in our Shakespearean town under the mountain, the time has come to turn this into a thriving and welcoming area for locals and visitors alike. Director Community Services, Kate Whareaitu says, 'Prospero Place has evolved substantially in the last 6 years and it's exciting to get stuck into developing a more fit for purpose community space.' 'We've been monitoring how the town centre is currently used, and asking questions of regular users and neighbouring businesses, which has led to the draft designs now available for public comment,' says Kate. 'We think we've landed on a design that will be practical while pleasing to the eye, but we're keen to hear from our community and those passing by too.' 'This is their opportunity to tell us if we've prioritised design elements that reflect our community's needs and wants, before we get down to the finer details and lock in design materials,' she says. To see the draft designs and share your views, visit or pop by the Stratford Library and Visitor Information Centre to look at the drawings up close and have a conversation with staff. Feedback is open until 13 July. After which, the project team will collate comments and determine any changes required to the design for final approval by Elected Members. It's anticipated that a final design will be complete in September, and physical work is due to begin during the summer months. Visitors to can also ask questions about the project, answer quick polls and share their own memories of Prospero Place through the years. For those new to Stratford, there's photos of what the area used to look like, a walk down memory lane for those who've been in the community for several years. We'd also love to hear from anyone that might have old footage of the town centre tucked away in their home archives so it can be added to Stratford's Heritage Collection online at Project background Towards the end of 2016 Stratford District Council launched Stratford 2035 – Making it Real, which was an integrated approach to Stratford's long term future. This included the Future of Broadway project, focusing on the revitalisation of Prospero Place and Broadway. Over subsequent years, the project has changed in scope due to changes in land use in the area, such as the demolition of the ANZ bank and land next to Prospero Place becoming available. More recently, concept plans have been drawn up to determine the best use of Prospero Place and surrounding town centre areas. SDC is now at the stage of bringing the concept plans for Prospero Place to life through detailed designs that reflect the changes in the way that the space is used by the community. The project's budget is $1.2 million and is being delivered across the first 3 years of the Long Term Plan 2024-34. The project supports SDC's vision of a Welcoming, Inclusive and Safe Community – Te Pumanawa o Taranaki.
