More than 100 to give feedback on Tasman’s 10-year plan

Submitters today get their say on the focus of the long-term work of Tasman District Council when a hearing begins over its proposed 10-year plan.

Between March 1 and April 5, the council received 480 submissions on its Long Term Plan 2018-28 consultation document. At least one late submission may also be accepted.

Of the total, 117 submitters indicated they wished to speak in support of their submissions on one of three days set aside for the hearing - today at Richmond, Monday at Takaka and Tuesday at Motueka.

The proposed Waimea dam, earmarked for the Lee Valley, drew multiple submissions. They come after a four-day hearing in December on governance and funding options for the controversial proj- ect, which submissions.

Some of the submissions to the Long Term Plan about the dam project call for a referendum on the proposal including the contribution from submitter Peter Milner. He says the council seems hellbent on ramming the dam down ratepayers’ throats and asks what benefit the project would be to people outside of the dam area such attracted 1513 as residents of Murchison and Golden Bay.

‘‘To be honest, you need to hold a referendum on this dam project and listen to what ratepayers want,’’ Milner says in his submission.

Other hot topics that drew multiple submissions to the Long Term Plan include Kohatu Park – a proposed regional motorsport and adventure park near Tapawera – as well as council proposals to keep net debt under $200 million and rates revenue increases under 3 per cent a year, plus an allowance for growth.

The first day of the hearing at Richmond is due to begin at 9.30am with submitters scheduled to speak until 8pm. Mayor Richard Kempthorne is set to be chairman of the hearing panel, which consists of the full council.