Whakatāne District Council has adopted its Annual Plan, Te Mahere ā-tau 2022/23 and committed to keeping its rates promise.
The Annual Plan is the budget and work programme for year two of the 2021-31 Long Term Plan. It outlines how Council will fund projects, activities, and services in the upcoming financial year.
Mayor Judy Turner says the Annual Plan process is a ‘pulse check’ for Council to reflect and see if there are any changes needed to address what is happening out in our communities.
“Our Long-Term Plan is centred on the wellbeing of our communities, this Annual Plan cements that, and shows our communities Council will continue to do what it said it would.
“Last year we committed to ensure certainty and consistency for ratepayers by maintaining a smoothed rates approach.
“That meant there would be a total 6.93% rate increase per annum for the first three years of the Long-Term Plan and through this Annual Plan we are maintaining that,” Mayor Turner says.
“By finding different ways to cover unbudgeted costs brought on largely by COVID-19, increasing inflation and interest rates we have been able to keep our rates promise to our community.”
To cover additional cost increases Council has or will:
• Increased some user-pay fees and charges — which went out to public consultation earlier this year.
• Use some reserve funding.
• Use some Central Government Better Off Funding.
“Times are tough, and we’ve made sure to strike a balance between avoiding adding further financial pressure to our people, but also maintaining a strong programme of work which will continue to deliver for our communities,” Mayor Turner adds.
Some of the key highlights of the Plan include:
• Transitioning Three Waters activities.
• The 2022 Local Body Election, which will include the inclusion of Māori wards.
• Whakatāne Kawerau Spatial Plan.
• Matatā Wastewater Project.
• Keepa Road improvements.
• Footpath upgrades.
Council chose not to consult on the 2022/23 Annual Plan as there was no significant differences to activities outlined in year two of the 2021-31 Long-Term Plan for which there was full consultation.
The final Annual Plan, with the details of Council’s key work programmes for the year, will be made publicly available on Council’s website and at its Customer Service Centre (4 Commerce Street) and Murupara Service Centre and Library (Civic Square, Murupara) within the next few days.