A busy timeline for the Long Term Plan (LTP)
Most weeks will find your councillors in meetings to prepare the LTP, this is a significant piece of work that must promote current and future interests of the district, each activity will consider the distribution of benefits between community or individuals within the community, the period and extent of which the benefits are expected to occur, along with the cost for current and future social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing.
At present we are looking at community outcomes, for our halls, parks reserves and playgrounds, township maintenance and development, medical buildings, social housing, cemeteries, public toilets, libraries, sewerage, water services, stormwater, roads, footpaths, waste minimisation, building consents, animal control and liquor licensing this comprehensive but not complete list needs to consider a broad distribution of benefits to make certain the Hurunui is a desirable and safe place to live with essential and appropriate infrastructure.
A recently published environmental scan presented to the strategy and community committee stated that underpinning all emerging issues is the topic of affordability. With a relatively small population and a rating base of around 8000 rateable properties there is an ongoing challenge to fund and provide services and facilities at an affordable rate.
As people move out from larger urban centres there is often a higher expectation of the level of service council should be delivering, which is not always possible given the limited budget. In providing core infrastructure services council must balance the standard against cost, while complying with legislative and consenting requirements as a minimum.
There are many opportunities when under taking an in-depth analysis of the district, some of which include sharing services with other local authorities or considering the reduction of service and understanding the financial challenges to maintain roads and upgrade 280 bridges and other high-cost items, alongside the legislation and regulation that introduce unforeseen costs.
We will be looking to bring people together to solve these complex local issues, to build a safer, healthier and environmentally sustainable Hurunui district.