Long Term Plan 2018/2028 is open for your feedback
Engagement has concluded for the third and final phase of the Long Term Plan 2018/2028. Thank you for taking part.
Council adopts Long Term Plan 2018 - 2028
28 June 2018
"Steady as we grow"
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has today adopted its Long Term Plan (LTP) 2018 – 2028.
The plan sets an average rates increase of 2.7 percent for existing ratepayers across the ten years of the LTP (of which inflation accounts for 2.3 percent). The increase for the 2018/19 year is 3.6 percent (of which inflation accounts for 2.0 percent).
To see the full LTP visit www.westernbay.govt.nz/ltp2018-2028.
Recap
This time around, the Long Term Plan has occurred in three community engagement stages:
- The first set the agenda (phase 1 'community conversations' May to July 2017)
- The second checked back in using a set of four themes (phase 2 'are we on the same page' September to October 2017)
- The third and final tests the specific proposals for the plan (phase 3 'consultation on the proposals' March to May 2018) .
What are we engaging on in this third and final phase?
Council has prepared your Consultation Document for feedback. There are four key proposals:
For more information about these proposals:
- Check out your Consultation Document.
- View our LTP video.
Have your say
- By filling out the feedback form below.
- Attending one of the Have Your Say Events near you (check out the details of these events in the section called 'visit us during our roadshow').
Have Your Say Events
- There are five events taking place across your District from Saturday 14 April to Saturday 28 April.
- PLEASE NOTE - THESE EVENTS REPLACE TRADITIONAL FORMAL HEARINGS.
- So if you wish to speak to elected members about your feedback, please drop in to an event near you.
Our commitment to your feedback
Your feedback is important to enable the completion of the final LTP. Once the plan has been adopted, every submitter will receive a Decision Story detailing the key decisions as part of finalising the plan. The Decision Story will also be available on Council's website for anyone to access.
Engagement ends at 4pm Friday, 4 May 2018 - we are keen to hear from you on those four key proposals. Please note: The feedback form and the details of your feedback will be publicly available as part of the decision-making process.
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It's steady as we grow
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E nga mana, e nga reo To everyone, all voices
E nga karangatanga maha All the many alliances and affiliations
Tena koutou Greetings
Welcome to this 2018-28 Long Term Plan Consultation Document, which provides you with an overview of the key issues, priorities and projects for the District over the next 10 years.
This plan responds to the strong population growth the Western Bay has experienced, and which is likely to continue. Our growing population creates pressure on the demand for Council services, but good planning and a prudent approach to finances means we’re in a strong position moving forward. This is due to the investment we have already made in wastewater and water supply systems, roading upgrades and community facilities such as parks, reserves, walkways, cycleways, playgrounds and skate parks.
It’s About You
During 2017, we held community conversation events throughout our District, to ask you what you want for your community. Four key themes emerged from the feedback we received, which have formed the basis of this Consultation Document:
• The pace of change – the District is growing and changing rapidly
• Getting around – we need a safe and efficient transportation network
• Protecting our environment and resources – our communities feel proud about the Western Bay environment and want to look after what we have
• Building communities – we value community connections and a sense of place.
So, what can you expect from this Council over the next 10 years?
Our primary focus will be to continue to provide core services and infrastructure, and to invest prudently in our communities.
We know that rates affordability is a key issue for both ratepayers and Council, so we are keeping rate increases as low as possible without compromising the levels of service we deliver.
We are also committed to continuing our prudent management of debt, which will have reduced from $140m in 2013 and is likely to be under $100m by June 2018.
Future focus
Your feedback has helped to shape the direction of Council’s work programme over the next 10 years, which includes some important policy and planning projects that are in their early investigative stages. Although we aren’t making decisions on these right now, we still want to let you know about them and provide an indication of the approach we intend to take.
The topics include:
• Planning for growth across the District
• Enabling the housing our community needs
• Investigating alternative recycling and rubbish collection models
• Changing the way we fund growth-related projects.
Key proposals
Our steady approach means there are no major decisions to be made through this Long Term Plan, but we do want your feedback on four key proposals:
1. Walking and cycling investment
2. Western Bay Museum funding
3. Arts and culture investment
4. Debt management approach.
Have your say
We encourage you to give us feedback on these proposals and to come along to our next round of Have Your Say opportunities during April and May. Please take the time to explore your Consultation Document and share your views with Councillors and staff. Feedback on this Long Term Plan will close on Friday, 4 May 2018.
Thank you to all those who have participated in our LTP process over the last 16 months.
Mayor, Western Bay of Plenty District
