Masterton Rates Rise 9.6pc

Wednesday, 26 June 2024, 8:14 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Accusations of political ambition and questions of decision-making "integrity" were raised as Masterton District Council [MDC] signed off its Long-Term Plan [LTP] on Wednesday.

The decision to progress the plan passed 6-3, with rates now set to rise an average of 9.6 per cent.

Voting for the LTP were: Mayor Gary Caffell, Deputy Mayor Bex Johnson, councillors David Holmes, Craig Bowyer, Stella Lennox, and Marama Tuuta.

Voting against were councillors Brent Goodwin, Tim Nelson, and Tom Hullena.

The setting of the rates was unanimous.

At the top of the meeting, Goodwin put forward a notice of motion to revoke the previously agreed motion regarding the town hall.

As part of earlier LTP deliberations, the council voted to demolish the earthquake-prone town hall, municipal buildings, and facade, and build a new town hall on the current site.

Council officers told fellow elected members that Goodwin’s proposed motion could not progress as it "does not provide sufficient information to comply with Local Government Act decision making requirements".

Elected members could instead vote to request more information on Goodwin’s motion to meet decision-making requirements and progress a LTP Amendment down the track.

Councillors Goodwin, Nelson, Hullena, and Tuuta were in favour of this but the motion failed due to lack of majority support.

Goodwin said the vote would have been an opportunity for the council to defer the town hall decision for "for a future council when there is more clarity, more evidence, more consensus, both in the council and the community".

"The integrity of the council's decision-making process has been fraught in my view, people are bringing no hard evidence, ignoring professional opinion, and there is no expert analysis. Instead, it is being driven by hearsay," he said.

Johnson asked Tuuta why she was supporting Goodwin's motion when she had previously supported the agreed upon motion at LTP deliberations.

"I have not changed my mind. I have changed my vote," Tuuta said.

She said affordability, Civil Defence priorities, and the town hall's demolition were top of mind for her during preliminary discussions.

"When I was approached [by Goodwin] and we looked at the notice of motion, I thought my top priority is still to have low rates and that is why I changed my vote."

Hullena said he could not support going ahead with the proposed town hall spend without a business case.
"Why would we not take some time, press pause, and delay the decision to potentially save a significant spending mistake?"

Goodwin said he had "a feeling Bex wants to be the next mayor and Gary wants to hand her a lovely clean slate" on the town hall issue.

Caffell then quipped that "the next mayor may not have you on council, councillor Goodwin".

When Goodwin's motion was lost, the vote was then put forward to progress the LTP.

Johnson said with the current town hall proposal, there would be "touch points" along the way "which means further decisions can be made".

"I don’t think it’s time for more information I think it’s actually time for action."

Lennox said she was "excited" about this plan and had spoken with member of the community who had commended the council on "a plan with actions and outcomes".

"I think we’ve done a bloody good job as elected members to thrash things out."

Tuuta said she would be supporting the LTP, despite not agreeing with elements.

Hullena said that despite agreeing with elements of the plan, he would not be supporting it.

In a press release after the meeting, Caffell said councillors had worked hard to limit the rates increase.
“We have been very mindful of the impact of our decisions on ratepayers’ pockets.

"In the current economic climate, a rates increase of any size is not something to be celebrated, but I think what we have achieved is one of the smallest increases in the country.

“We remain committed to keeping Masterton moving forward and doing our best for our community. That’s why we are progressing key infrastructure projects for the Town Hall and Library.

“But the bulk of expenditure over the next 10 years is planned to be spent on our core business, including roading [nearly $400 million], water supply [$135 million], and stormwater [$28 million].”

The big decisions

During deliberations earlier this month, councillors voted to demolish the existing town hall and municipal buildings, including the façade, and build a new multi-purpose town hall on the current site, with a total budget of no more than $25 million.

The Council's Waiata House office will be expanded, at a cost of $8.7million, to accommodate civil defence, customer services, a council chamber, public meeting rooms, and a lab for use by environmental services staff.

MDC will also upgrade and expand the library at a cost of $10.75 million.

Regarding town centre improvements, MDC will complete essential work to improve water and roading infrastructure, including footpaths, with no other improvements to Queen St.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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