Creative thinking

A big thank you to all those who participated in the long-term plan consultation, especially those who took the extra time to come in person and speak to their submissions.

Not only is it clear that significant thought and effort had gone into the submissions, but some really great ideas were expressed. I found myself annotating my notes with a MUST DO, testament to the creative thinking we have in the Far North.

Listening to submitters in the three main centres (Kerikeri, Kaitaia and Kaikohe), some very similar themes were expressed. One of those was the absolute importance of forward planning and getting it right. This included planning for growth, for demands in water and sewerage services, and planning for the demand on roads. Examples, particularly in Kerikeri, were given where the lack of a meaningful strategy backed by professional town planning and zoning has given rise to many current problems.

Every community deserves to have their basic infrastructure and service needs met in a manner that is affordable. Achieving these fit-forpurpose services requires professional in-depth town planning, supporting policies, and a commitment to a longterm strategy.

Can we define boundaries for each community, and in those areas commit to delivering water, sewerage, data, footpaths and street lighting?

Can we have adequate urban and industrial zoning where all streets are sealed?

Another recurring theme was better engagement with Maori. The Far North has a very high Maori population; many tribes are receiving settlement monies; collectively they own large areas of land and forestry; the majority of our young population in the Far North are Maori.

Council has legislative requirements under the RMA to engage with tangata whenua, and Maori have a significant stake in the current and future development of the Far North. We need to go beyond MOUs towards a more meaningful engagement model.

Better engagement with local communities was also raised — common were statements that with local people being engaged early, not only will better solutions be achieved, but there will be less resistance, and significant project savings will be made.

I have to admit thinking that we have to do better than making available 10 minutes every three years. Every three years the council has to review its long-term plan and engage with the public, but the LTP process must not be done simply because of legislation. It is something council does so services are efficiently and effectively delivered over time, in accordance with community needs.

So why not engage continuously with the public so ideas and issues are captured? We can use technology to streamline this process and feedback, which can then be available to be included as appropriate when putting the next LTP together.

The next phase of the LTP process will be deliberation on the feedback, and finalisation. So thanks again for talking to us, and thanks also to the staff involved.

" Achieving these fit-forpurpose [council] services requires professional indepth town planning, supporting policies, and a commitment to a longterm strategy. "