Community support for the ‘big decisions’ highlighted in the Whakatāne District Council’s 2015-25 Long Term Plan (LTP) consultation document has seen all of the preferred options included in the final plan.
At an extraordinary meeting last week, the Council deliberated on the 260 submissions received to the LTP and considered a range of additional items detailed in an executive management report updating the proposed work programme for 2015/16 and subsequent years.
The consultation document survey saw 72 percent of the 181 respondents support continuing most Council services at the current level, while 69 percent also supported the rates and debt levels proposed for the next 10 years.
The redevelopment of the Whakatāne Museum and Research Centre drew a divided response, and although 15 of the 21 written submissions received supported the proposal, the consultation document survey saw 37 percent of respondents in favour of the redevelopment and 36 percent opposed. The Council decided to include the $4.5 million project in the LTP so that it could achieve statutory and best practice standards required to preserve the museum’s nationally-significant collections and deliver improved archive and research services. The project is dependent on raising $3 million of the funding requirement externally.
A proposal to redevelop the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall into a modern, multi-purpose sports, cultural and events centre received 32 written submissions, of which 19 were in support and six were opposed. Survey responses saw 54 percent in favour of the proposal and 22 percent opposed. The Council confirmed the inclusion of the project in the LTP, subject to a full feasibility study confirming a viable and affordable development option.
The transfer of the Council’s pensioner housing units to a Community Housing Provider also drew a significant response, with seven of the 17 written submissions received in favour of the proposal and four opposing it. Survey responses showed 40 percent of respondents supported the transfer, with 26 percent opposed and 28 percent having a neutral view. The Council confirmed the inclusion of the transfer proposal in the LTP. An approved Community Housing Provider will be able to access income-related rentals for qualifying tenants and have access to Government subsidies which are not available to local government organisations.
Increasing our focus on attracting jobs, investment, events and people to the District drew the most positive survey response, with 77 percent of respondents supporting the need for additional economic development funding and 11 percent opposed. The proposed $250,000 increase in annual funding was confirmed.
Improvements to harbour facilities and access drew more than 40 written submissions and 185 survey responses, with 73 percent of respondents supporting the proposal and nine percent opposed. The Council approved the inclusion of the various projects involved, which would be funded from Harbour Fund reserves, in the LTP.
The proposed LTP has now gone to Audit NZ for review and will be presented to the Council for adoption on 25 June.