The Tasman District Council will be consulting on a rates income rise of 9.56% for the first year of its 2023-2024 Long Term Plan with the following years averaging 4.5%.
This plan is about delivering the essential and basic items well, leveraging partnerships and opportunities whilst managing the impacts of continuing growth, said Tasman Mayor Tim King.
"In the background, but also an influential factor, is the change in Government and the accompanying change in legislative direction.
"In waiting for the detail within the change and the remaining uncertainty as to what it requires the Council to do, not only have we had to plan for Affordable Water programme but also try and predict what the implications and costs of the new alternative are. It is a similar scenario for our resource management programmes, while we wait for the legislative changes affecting future planning.
"This is a 10-year plan and while we can revisit it in three years' time, it also includes a 30-year infrastructure plan and a variety of Asset Management Plans, all of which are directly affected by a national direction. While we have looked to cover the alternative scenarios, this uncertainty will almost guarantee we will have to revisit our plan."
Tim said staff are making sure the basic services are delivered, enhanced where possible, and are financially sustainable.
"With financial sustainability as a key factor, we took a very close look at our business, reviewing all our plans and initiatives. In reviewing all our costs, we are mindful communities continue to evolve and as such the demand for facilities is clear like the Motueka pool, and community centres in the Waimea South, Tapawera and Murchison being considered.
"All will require a community contribution, as with all local facilities, and there are plans to support those.
"We believe that despite the growth and impending changes we are responsible for maintaining the Tasman we chose to stay in or come to. We live in a special place and reflecting the feedback we received in our pre-engagement discussions in communities for this plan, it is important we enable the Tasman we chose to live in while it evolves."
We will be consulting on the plan in the first half of next year looking for either support or suggestions as to how it can be improved prior to its adoption in June 2024.