Five community meetings, three sausage sizzles and 12 presentations to community groups are included in a wide-ranging public consultation programme to help gather feedback on the draft Long Term Plan 2024-34.

Council adopted the draft plan and budget yesterday (20 March) – it details plans to invest $1.07 billion into running the district over the next 10 years. A 68-page consultation document of highlights and key decisions is planned to go live on 27 March.

Mayor Neil Brown said the draft Long Term Plan for 2024-34 set out what Council planned to deliver and how it would pay for it.

“Rates will vary across the district, depending on where you live, but the average rise in year one is 9.9%. While many other places in the country are a lot higher than this, we know it's still a large increase at a time when many will be feeling the pinch, but it is what is necessary to maintain services and facilities that the community expects."

The average rate rise for councils across New Zealand for 2024-25 is sitting at 15.3%.

Mayor Brown said one reason for this rise across the country is that the cost of essential infrastructure has skyrocketed over the past three years.

“Civil construction costs have risen 27% over the past three years, so roads and three waters infrastructure are where we want to focus our investment. We’ve also planned to lower debt levels.”

The draft Long Term Plan will ask residents for their views on five key decisions, and related policies, although feedback is welcome on any part of the plan. There will be a month for people to make their submissions, with Councillors hosting a wide range of meetings and pop-up events to talk to the community about what is proposed.

Three informal sausage sizzles are part of the engagement schedule, and the first is at the Tinwald Pool on Saturday 6 April, 10am-2pm. Others are planned for Baring Square East on 13 April and the Methven iHub on 20 April.

Community meetings in the evening are set for Rakaia on 4 April, Mount Somers on 9 April, Hinds on 15 April, Ashburton on 16 April and Methven on 17 April.

Five day-time pop-ups are also planned around the district, and Councillors will also visit 12 community groups at their monthly meetings, including service clubs, secondary schools and GreyPower.

Mayor Brown said there were plenty of events where residents could make their views known, gather information or ask questions.

“I encourage people to do their homework and read the consultation document, which has the right information people need to be informed. The next step is to provide your feedback, which we welcome.”

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