COUNCILLOR kōrero

I ALWAYS END up in a bit of a dilemma at this stage of a three-year term when we start the Long-term Plan process.

This is an opportunity for Council and communities throughout our district to share their dreams and aspirations.

We all have visions of what the future should be. But every three years communities and Council are let down in not being able to financially deliver or afford that future hope. If we fulfilled every dream, rates would be astronomical.

Every capital project has less impact on rates due to intergenerational funding. But these projects come with many lines of operational expenditure which has a significant impact on rates. This is the reality.

Operational costs are not just about council staff as some like to believe, it’s about consents, planning, business cases, amendments to legislation, considering options under legislation, district plan rules, and iwi to name a few.

We also have major compliance costs pushed on us from the central Government. Central Government must take more responsibility and stop pushing these costs onto ratepayers. It is ridiculous!

While we all want shade sails, event centres, museums, playgrounds, sports facilities, sculptures, and community funding of more than $600,000 a year, to keep rates affordable is this what we MUST do?

Should TDC stick to roads, pipes, and events to keep our towns busy to keep small and medium businesses afloat to keep jobs for locals, while also looking after our amazing environment?

Council does listen and has the same aspirations as you. What we can do that is affordable is another matter. Council is on all ratepayers’ side.

If you really want something big or special, we all need to pay for it. The draft Long-term Plan 2024-34 will be out for consultation in March. What do we really need? What must we do? What would be nice but not essential in the next few years? What can we do without?

We are all in this together.