Residents Urged To Attend Whakatāne’s LTP Adoption

Tuesday, 23 July 2024, 8:35 pm
Article: Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Whakatāne residents are being urged to make their presence felt when the council adopts its long-term plan early next month.

John Howard, Whakatāne Action Group interim chairman, encouraged people to turn up when the Whakatāne District Council adopts its Long-term Plan 2024-2034 at an extraordinary meeting at 9am, on August 5.

The proposed plan includes average rate rises of 15 percent in year one, 12.7 percent in year two and 9.5 percent in year three.

Mr Howard, who heads the recently incorporated council watchdog group, said while the public couldn't speak at the meeting unless they were granted permission by the chair, high attendance would show the council that people were paying attention.

“The council needs to know that people are interested in what’s happening and that they care.

“I guess it’s all confirmed about what is going to be (in the plan), but we really need to let them know that we, as ratepayers, are concerned about where the direction is going.”

The long-term plan would normally have been adopted before the end of June in time for the new financial year starting July 1. The council had originally set a date of June 20 to adopt the plan, then delayed it until June 27 before delaying it again, indefinitely.

At a meeting on July 17, transitional budget delegations were made pending adoption of the new plan.

It announced the new meeting date in a media release on Tuesday.

A council spokesperson said the delay was caused by increased workloads at Audit New Zealand, which must approve the plan before it is adopted.

“The primary reason for the adoption delay was the coalition government’s about-face on Three Waters legislation late last year.

"The flow-on effect has been an extended independent audit process in the latter stages of plan development."

Councils were given options to defer, delay or continue with their long term plan development alongside a post-consultation audit.

"Whakatāne District Council chose to maintain its existing timeline to minimise potentially greater impacts of deferral or delay on its communities.

“The council acknowledges the substantial workload faced by Audit New Zealand, as it has compressed numerous audits into tight schedules at the end of the long term plan process that all councils must carry out. The audit is crucial to ensure every aspect of the plan is thoroughly reviewed, providing Whakatāne District communities with confidence in the plan's financial reliability and comprehensiveness.”

The spokesperson said that alongside a rigorous audit process, Fitch Ratings had assigned the council an AA- credit rating.

“This rating shows that the council is financially stable and reliable. It recognises that the council is considered capable of paying back its debts, which boosts confidence for its funding agency. This strong position can result in lower borrowing costs and interest rates, which reduces future cost impacts.”

The spokesperson said members of the public were welcome to attend in-person, or view via live stream on council’s website: whakatane.govt.nz.

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