2018-28 Long Term Plan Consultation Document Adopted
Waimate District Council adopts the 2018 to 2028 Long Term Plan consultation document with a proposed overall rate take increase of 6.6% over the next three years, then tapering off into 2021 to 2022.
Council looks to the future and anticipates an upward trend in commercial investment in the district over the next 3 to 10 years. In predicting the future Council has to maintain a fine balance between adequately maintaining existing infrastructure, spending to support growth, and maintaining affordability.
Council decisions are based on sound data and information highlighted in Asset Management Plans, the Finance Strategy and the Infrastructure Strategy. Each year steady improvements are made to business systems and planning documents - the information in these plans is externally audited and Council has a duty to take notice of what they are telling us.
“We can no longer sit back and watch our essential assets deteriorate faster than we are replacing them," says Mayor Craig Rowley.
"This increase in investment in our infrastructure is sufficient to maintain what we have with a few improvements, but it is not extravagant by any stretch of the imagination and if delayed or ignored, will only get worse”.
Mayor Rowley says it was a difficult decision for Councillors to approve the proposed rate increase in the current wider financial environment.
“We understand the financial issues facing the community and the hardship that is being experienced in many sectors. It was with a great deal of thought and consideration for the community by Council that the increase is proposed.”