Public Submissions Vital to Ruapehu Long Term Plan Process

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) is hoping for high levels of engagement from Ruapehu communities over their draft Long Term Plan (LTP) 2015-25 which opens for consultation next week.

The LTP is the key method by which Ruapehu and other councils plan to ensure that the services they provide are sustainable while providing a forum where-by local communities can take part in local decision making.

It is produced every three years and sets out the ‘what, where, when, how and cost’ of all services and infrastructure that RDC plans to provide over the next ten years (and beyond).

Ruapehu mayor, Don Cameron, said that it was important that as many residents, ratepayers and others with an interest in the future of the district took this opportunity to get informed and have their say on their vision for Ruapehu and Council’s direction.

“This year new government legislation requires all councils to produce a special ‘Consultation Document’ (CD) that outlines in an accessible manner the key issues facing their district along with the available options and consequences of those options,” he said.

“Although Council has highlighted what we see as the specific big issues that we would like feedback on in the CD people can make a submission on any aspect of Council activities or life in Ruapehu that they like.”

“The key areas Council has highlighted in the CD concern issues in; economic development (where to?), representation (Iwi and Community Boards), property (Taumarunui Memorial Hall and i-SITE), land transport (bridges and forestry rate differential), Council income (rates vs debt) and water (cost of treatment).”

Mayor Cameron noted that for Council to make the best decisions about where to apply our limited resources requires the best available information and understanding of community wants and needs.

“Finding the right balance between renewing our aging infrastructure and growth with affordability and long term sustainability is always a challenge and is why community submissions into the planning process are so important.”

“Making a submission to the LTP process is always one of the best ways for people to influence the work and activity programme Council is planning to do on their behalf.”

“All submissions received on the LTP are considered during a special hearing and deliberation period where people can give a presentation to Council in support of their submission if they wish,” he said.

Mayor Cameron said that he hoped Ruapehu communities and other parties with an interest in the future prosperity of Ruapehu would take this opportunity to read the CD and have their say.

“If people need any additional information they should contact myself, any councillor, their local Council office or see Council’s website www.ruapehudc.govt.nz.”

“Community groups and organisations can also arrange for a presentation to be given to their members on the LTP and associated issues.”

“Consultation on the LTP 2015-25 is scheduled to open on Wednesday 11 March and closes at 4.00pm on Friday 17 April 2015.”

ends

© Scoop Media