Catering for rapid population growth, combined with the need for significant upgrades to water infrastructure – while keeping rates affordable and limiting debt - are the key issues the Tasman District Council plans to tackle over the next 10 years.

The Council today adopted its Long Term Plan 2018 – 2028 Consultation Document, which is open for public submissions from 1 March to 5 April 2018. The document outlines five important challenges facing the District, along with the Council’s plans for meeting those challenges.

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne said while the storm events over the past week and month had required an immediate and urgent response from the Council, its long-term planning could not be neglected.

“It might seem like an odd time to ask our communities to think about long-term challenges when so many have really urgent concerns to deal with. The recovery from Cyclones Fehi and Gita will carry on for quite some time, and we will have a key role to play in that.

“Planning for and responding to natural hazards is an important part of what we do. It was one of the key issues we identified in our previous Long Term Plan, and now building resilience to natural disaster is considered in our projects and work streams on an ongoing basis. Many of the projects we will carry out over the next 10 years have a strong resilience focus.

“Over the next decade we’ll be continuing that work, while also tackling another set of challenges for Tasman District – largely related to population growth, infrastructure development and ensuring safe drinking water supplies.”

Long Term Plan 2018 – 2028 Key Issues

• Rates Affordability and Managing Debt. We propose a 3% cap on rates revenue increases (plus an allowance for growth) in any one year, and a maximum net debt level of $200 million.

• Growth and Infrastructure. We propose to provide land and invest in new infrastructure to support a medium/high level of growth, with a growth investment of $58 million over 10 years. We also propose to upgrade and improve existing infrastructure, with a total capital investment of $157 million over 10 years.

• Review of Development and Financial Contributions Policy. We propose a new catchment system for charging development contributions to better reflect the true cost of providing infrastructure. We also propose lower charges for smaller homes.

• Safe and Secure Drinking Water. We propose total capital investment of $31.6 million for water security and capacity projects over the next 10 years. We also propose total capital investment of $27 million for major water treatment upgrades over the next 10 years.

• Funding Motueka’s Water Supply. We propose to introduce a fixed service charge to all properties connected to the reticulated network. The service charge will increase progressively over three years. We also propose to continue funding the remainder of the costs through volumetric water charging.

Find out more

Copies of the Consultation Document and supporting information will be available at www.tasman.govt.nz/LTP and in Council offices and libraries from 1 March.

Public meetings with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the issues will be held throughout the District. The timetable will be on the website and advertised through Newsline.

Consultation runs from 1 March to Thursday 5 April 2018.

ENDS

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