Council Adopts Long-Term Plan Consultation Document

Hurunui District Council’s Long-Term Plan 2018-2028 (LTP) Consultation Document has been adopted during the council meeting today.

The LTP sets out the council’s vision for the next 10 years and examines the projects and services the council will deliver, with the Consultation Document covering the key issues. Details of what the council proposes and the funding impacts of these proposals feature in the streamlined 28 page document, and will be available to the public as part of the LTP consultation process from tomorrow, 6 April.

Support Services Manager, Jason Beck, says there are a number of key issues facing the council that are highlighted in the document and a projected rates increase capped at 8.5% for 2018/2019, decreasing to 6.5% in the 2019-2020 year and 5.0% in the 2020/2021 year.

“The consultation document offers ratepayers an insight into these five key issues facing the council over the next 10 years which are Earthquake debt, earthquake-prone buildings, footpath maintenance, road funding and the Amberley Swimming Pool. Ratepayers will also get to see how we propose to manage these issues, while recognising the importance of rates affordability.”

Today’s adoption of the Consultation Document allows the commencement of a month-long public consultation process, which will feature a number of engagement activities throughout the district ranging from a special public meeting on the Weka Pass Diesel Train right through to market appearances and public information sessions.

Mayor Winton Dalley says while the earthquake has impacted significantly on the council’s work programme, thanks to our responsible financial management in the past we consider that we are in a good position to manage the impact going forward.

“We have taken a great deal of time to critically examine our budgets to ensure that we are not placing unfair financial expectations on our ratepayers, but at the same time we continue to deliver the services we have a responsibility to deliver.”

The Consultation Document, submission form and supporting documents will be available on the council’s website, www.hurunui.govt.nz, from tomorrow. Hard copies will also be available from the district’s various Service Centres.

Submissions can be made via the council’s website, or through a written submission by posting it to: Hurunui District Council, PO Box 13, Amberley 7441 or emailing: submissions@hurunui.govt.nz. Submissions will close on Sunday 6 May.

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