Primed to Deliver Essential Services at an Affordable Cost for 10 years

Thursday 23 February 2012

Today the Tasman District Council agreed to its draft Long Term Plan being released for public consultation.  Reviewed every three years, the Long Term Plan provides direction to the Council’s decision-making for the next ten years.

“This is a sound and responsible plan focused on supporting the growth of the whole district,” says Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne.

“Our priorities are to maintain the existing core infrastructure, and provide the platform for our growing communities to expand. We’ll also continue to meet our many legislative requirements at an affordable cost to ratepayers.”

“In order to achieve this we have made a number of proposed changes to what was planned in the current Ten Year Plan 2009-2019. These changes include large reductions in the transportation and roading area, particularly removal of most cycleway projects, seal extensions, some streetscaping and undergrounding of powerlines, and any new footpaths, for the first three years.”

“This has given us the ability to propose a general rate rise of 4.75% for the next year with an average throughout the ten years of 4.26% p.a..  Against a backdrop of inflation at 3.8% and a district wide growth-rate of 1.3%, this is an example of maintaining the delivery of essential services at an affordable cost.” Targeted rate changes are additional to those figures.

“The unqualified seal of approval from the Audit Office for the draft plan should provide ratepayers with confidence that the Council has approached and delivered this project with prudence and that it is financially sound.”

The plan is driven by the varying needs and preferences of the residents in Tasman’s 17 settlements, however, one project demands special attention.

“Within this draft plan is the biggest project Council has planned for many years – the Lee Valley Dam. This is such a significant project for the District’s ongoing economic and social viability we are holding two specific meetings to discuss and the impact it will have on the community”, said Mr Kempthorne.

Public Meetings

The consultation period closes at 4.30pm on 3 April. To assist in the consultation of the plan a number of discussion sessions will be held throughout the District:

Date	Venue / Group	Time(s)
6 March	Brightwater Community Association	7.00pm
12 March	Mapua Hall	4.00pm – 6.00pm
	Mapua Community Association	7.45pm
13 March	Wakefield Village Hall	4.00pm – 6.00pm
	Wakefield Community Association	7.30pm
14 March	Takaka Fire Brigade Hall	2.00pm – 4.30pm
	Collingwood Sunday School	6.30pm – 8.00pm
19 March	Murchison Community Recreation Centre	2.00pm – 4.00pm
	Tapawera Community Centre	7.00pm – 9.00pm
20 March	St John Hall, Motueka	4.00pm – 5.30pm 7.00pm – 9.00pm
22 March	Richmond – Council Chamber	2.00pm – 4.30pm
	Richmond Forum	7.30pm

Additional Meetings for Lee Valley Dam

The two additional meetings dedicated to the Lee Valley Dam

Date	Venue / Group	Time(s)
16 March	Appleby School	4.00 – 7.00pm
21 March	Tasman District Council offices, Richmond	3.00 – 6.00pm

Summary Delivered to Each Household

A summary of the Long Term Plan will be delivered to each household with the copies of the full plan available from Tasman District Council offices and libraries from 1 March. The full plan will also be available on request and online at www.tasman.govt.nz after that date.