During May, councillors considered submissions for both the Long Term Plan and Local Water Done Well. For the LTP, councillors resolved that next year’s rate increase would be 4.7%. This means the budget for water will be $6.05m, and council will fund 100% of roading improvements due to NZTA removing its Low Risk Low Cost budget.
The rates’ Uniform Charges will stay at 21% – not lifted to 28% – while the District Services Rate which would have seen residents living within 10 kilometres of town contribute a higher share of funding for services and facilities in town was rejected. As well, the definition of Separately Used Inhabitable Part of a property will be changed and the Refuse and Recycling charge will be changed back to each rating unit rather than a SUIP.
Councillors decided to work towards the Wai + T model on Local Waters Done Well as we feel that will provide the best option for South Wairarapa residents and ratepayers in the future. Last week Carterton and Masterton councils also decided to work towards the Wai + T model.
Staff across all four Councils are now working on a Water Services Delivery Plan which outlines how the proposed CCO (Council Controlled Organisation) will be set up. This needs to be completed before Government’s deadline of 3 September.
A lot of work has still to be completed, alongside formalising the LTP etc.
Councillors also considered funding requests from organisations across the district, but these were declined. If they had been approved, that would have increased rates. While we declined these requests, council employs a Funding Co-ordinator, Lina Manus – who’s role is to work with community groups to identify and source funding from charitable bodies.
Community groups play an important part. However, council has greater priorities with infrastructure and roading issues where our limited funds need to be spent.
Unfortunately we are not in position to fund every request for every group. If you are a member of a community group which needs funding, please reach out to Lina.
I am writing this column as the olive harvest around Martinborough is underway with picking and olives being pressed. Hopefully the harvest will be as good as the grape harvest was earlier this season.
Finally, in July nominations open for the October local body elections. I would really like to encourage people who are community-minded to consider standing for the Community Board. The Board has an important place – providing information and feedback to council. There are limitations on what the Board can do, but in spite of that members develop relationships with councillors and staff which enable projects and events to occur.
In 2019 many people stood for Martinborough’s Community Board, yet the boards in Greytown and Featherston did not have enough people standing so bi-elections had to be held.
If you are passionate about our district and live either in town or rural, whether it is Hinakura, Tora, Tuturumui, Te Awaite, Kahutara, Pirinoa or Ngawi and you want to provide a voice for your community within the council, please consider standing for our Community Board.
To contact me to discuss any issues, please email aidan.ellims@swdc.govt.nz
