Ohura Water Referendum about the Future of the Township

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) is concerned that with the Ohura water referendum due to open on Wednesday 5 November many residents are still misinformed on some critical issues.

Around 35 Ohura residents attended a public meeting at the Ohura Community Hall on Wednesday night (29 Oct) to ask questions of Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron and key council staff.

RDC Group Manager Customer Services, Pauline Welch, said that it was clear from the some of the comments and questions that there was a worrying level of misunderstanding on some of the key issues in the community.

“One of the key facts that isn’t understood is how severely financially unsustainable the current water scheme is and what this could potentially mean if the referendum does not pass.”

“This issue is not just about water but the potential future of the township,” she said.

“It is clear that many Ohura residents already find the current water rates severely unaffordable with around a third of all Ohura properties having unpaid rates in any given year.”

“Council has a responsibility to all Ruapehu property owners who pay their rates on time to ensure ‘bad payers’ do not put undue strain on Ruapehu ratepayers.”

“As such there is a firm direction that outstanding rate debt is to be collected which has seen Council undertake a programme of debt recovery which has included rating and abandoned land sales.”

“For people who are already having difficulty paying their rates the ultimate outcome could be the forced rating sale of their property.”

Ms Welch noted that Ohura’s water difficulties are not unique and are shared by numerous small towns and councils around New Zealand.

“Although under current legislation council is required to continue to operate the existing water treatment plant and reticulated network if the ‘yes’ proposal in the referendum does not succeed there is no guarantee this will continue.”

“These issues have become increasingly problematic and are the type of thing that creates a strong political need for legislative change.”

Ms Welch said that all Ohura ratepayers stand to be significantly better off by moving to water tanks.

“It will halve the rates due and over ten years the average Ohura ratepayer is estimated to save from $15,000 to $25,000.”

“The best way to ensure the future of our townships is to ensure their financial sustainability.”

“Council firmly believes that the closing of the current water treatment scheme and a move to water tanks is a critical factor in assisting to enable Ohura’s future,” she said.

A ‘yes’ vote in the referendum is an opportunity for residents to take control of their own destiny in regards to water while leaving a significant sum of cash in their pockets which would otherwise go on water rates.”

“Although at the end of the day the final decision is for Ohura residents to make council is urging voters to take a long term view and recognise that a ‘no’ vote will not mean that the issues have gone away and could mean severe financial stress or worse for many in their community.”

ENDS

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