We're embarking on the Long Term Plan

So, we asked our community to share what they think the important issues will be for our district over the next ten years.

The Long Term Plan maps out the Council’s priorities and work programme for the next 10 years. It lets you know what we will be doing, how much it costs and how we intend to pay for it.

To find out what issues and challenges the community viewed as important, we asked people to complete four short surveys based on the well-being themes below.

We received 983 responses, along with feedback from an additional 29 groups and organisations who took part in our workshops. We've collated the feedback and a summary can be viewed below.

This feedback is helping us develop the draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034, which will be presented to the community for consultation in March 2024.

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Provide your email address and we'll notify you once feedback opens on the draft Long Term Plan.

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Summary Report on Early Feedback
Survey Responses in Detail
Summary of Workshop Feedback

Economic Wellbeing

What is it?

Our economy and its ability to generate the employment and wealth necessary to provide for our community's well-being needs, such as health, financial security and opportunities.

The main themes identified in community feedback were:

Affordable living / cost of living
  • High cost of living and housing
Community infrastructure
  • Transportation network issues (e.g. potholes)
  • Lack of public transport

Environmental Wellbeing

What is it?

Our natural environment and its ability to sustainably support the activities for healthy community life, including air quality, fresh water, uncontaminated land and control of pollution.

The main themes identified in community feedback were:

Water quality in our rivers and lakes
  • Inability to undertake recreational activities
  • Algal blooms
  • High nitrates
Composting services
  • Lack of green waste bin service
Climate change mitigation & adaptation
  • Council not doing enough

Cultural Wellbeing

What is it?

The shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviours and identities that make up our community, reflected through language, stories, visual and performing arts, ceremonies and heritage.

The main themes identified in community feedback were:

Opportunities to learn about & celebrate other cultures
  • More to be done to celebrate cultures and language weeks including events
Respect for cultural differences
  • Council could be more proactive
Support for newcomers / migrants
  • Suggestions for Welcoming Communities work programme
Protection of historical sites, artefacts, traditions
  • Lack of information and awareness
Valuing and growing our iwi relationships
  • Room for improvement

What role should Council play?

  • Advocate - Support the community by collecting and sharing their views with government, agencies and organisations to achieve positive outcomes for the district. Minimal rates impact.

  • Influence – Educate and work to change people’s perceptions or behaviour in a way that leads to positive outcomes for the community. Minimal rates impact.

  • Support – Provide support to other agencies who lead the work. This could be through undertaking research, providing funding or bringing stakeholders together. Small to medium rates impact.

  • Plan and Resource - Take the direct lead, which may involve developing plans, consulting with community, funding, building and completing other steps to reach a desired outcome. Moderate to high rates impact.

Project Timeline