Time to ‘face the facts’ as residents asked for views on Central Hawke’s Bay’s proposed Long Term Plan
The Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay says it’s time to face the facts, as the council takes its proposed Long Term Plan 2021-2031 out for community consultation this month.
Residents have until March 31 2021 to submit their views on the council’s proposed Long Term Plan (LTP) consultation document, which outlines some of the district’s most confronting challenges of our time.
Ratepayers will also receive their ‘projected rates’ estimates either by email or post this week. This notice outlines the rates estimate for the next financial year from 2021/22, should proposed options in the draft Long Term Plan be adopted, following community consultation.
The council is encouraging all residents to take the time to read through proposals and attend one of a number of community engagement meetings taking place across the district, to find out more and to have their say.
Increases to rates, increases to the council’s overall debt limits and increases to development contributions are all being proposed in a bid to face the district’s challenges head-on, and remedy a dire state of aged and failing infrastructure.
The Plan also proposes to extend kerbside recycling to rural townships and gives residents the option of introducing a wheelie bin service for refuse and/or recycling.
Alex Walker said this LTP sets out a very challenging and hard road for the district, as the council grapples with catching up on decades of underinvestment in essential infrastructure and assets.
"Our reality is this: nearly a quarter of our drinking pipes and almost 40 per cent of our wastewater pipes are due for replacement, and all six of our wastewater treatment plants need upgrades.
"We have pipes that are over 100 years old, infrastructure that is literally crumbling away and buildings that we thought were earthquake tolerant, which are not. We now require major investment in nearly every aspect of our infrastructure and services. These are the facts and it’s time to face them.”
She said they are "not here to sugarcoat the situation or to kick the can down the road any further".
"As Mayor of our beautiful district, I’m standing up and saying enough is enough. It’s time for us to face these challenges head-on and secure a thriving future for our children, for our community, and for Central Hawke’s Bay.
“We have some ideas about how we should face the challenges ahead, but we need to hear if our community agrees or if they have other ideas. I urge our community to read through our proposals, understand the issues we face and make an informed submission.
“This is our community, let's face these challenges together and build a thriving future for Central Hawke’s Bay!”
Residents are encouraged to read the council’s Long Term Plan consultation document which is available online at www.chdbc.govt.nz/facingthefacts or from a council service centre. It provides a summary of the council’s financial and infrastructure strategies, key challenges and proposed solutions for the community to consider and feedback on.
Anyone can make a submission online or by completing a paper submission form. These forms can be found at any of the council service centres, or attached to ratepayers’ projected rates notices. When making a submission, residents can choose to present at a council hearing.
Submissions can be delivered to:
• Central Hawke’s Bay District Council Offices, 28 – 32 Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa
• Service Centre Pop-up – Bogle Brothers Esplanade, Waipukurau
• Waipawa Library, High Street, Waipawa
Posted to: Central Hawke’s Bay District Council PO BOX 127 Waipawa 4240
Or emailed to: facingthefacts@chbdc.govt.nz
Community feedback will be used to develop the Long Term Plan 2021-2031, which will come into operation from July 2021.
