Time running out to have a say on Long-Term Plan

Time is running out for people to have their say on a long-term regional council plan, which the council says is designed to meet new central government requirements, boost regional resilience and realise the North’s collective potential in changing times.

A series of “Have Your Say” events around the region finished in Kaitaia on Saturday, giving people the chance to talk to councillors and staff and provide feedback in person, part of an official month-long consultation period that will end on Friday, April 16.

The council says that while people would prefer not to face rates rises, most supported the rationale behind its proposed $71 increase in the average annual regional rates bill over the next year.

As proposed, the roughly $1.36 a week that the council’s proposals for its LTP 2021-2031 would add to the average ratepayer’s rates bill from July reflected a delicate balancing act.

Factors considered included new requirements passed to local authorities by central government, making the most of central government funding opportunities, attempting to meet wider community aspirations, and carefully weighing people’s ability to pay.

The council produced a consultation document, outlining the main projects it’s considering, and how they might be funded, as the basis for public feedback, while councillors believe the 19.8 per cent rates rise is necessary for the region to stay strong and continue growing in an uncertain climate, but want to hear what the community thinks before making their final decision.

For the first year of the 10-year plan, the council is proposing around $6.2 million worth of new work spread across three “activity groupings” – the natural environment, community resilience and regional leadership.

■ Further information about the LTP is available at nrc.govt.nz/futureplan