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Hurunui confirms 10.98% rates rise as it adopts 10-year plan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors hope to complete at least some of their ambitious roading programme after belatedly adopting the Hurunui Long-Term Plan (LTP) on Monday (July 15).
The Hurunui District Council had deferred adopting the 10-year budget for the region by the June 30 deadline, after it failed to get the level of funding it sought from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
But councillors accepted a recommendation from council chief executive Hamish Dobbie to stick with an average rates rise of 10.98%, so the council could at least complete some of its roading programme.
While Waka Kotahi’s overall funding had increased, Hurunui’s allocation was not enough to fund the upgrades needed to ensure the resilience of the district’s roading network, Dobbie said at a council meeting on June 25.
But Waka Kotahi's regional relationships director, James Caygill, said the Hurunui District Council’s funding request for the next three years was too costly.
He said it was almost double the council’s funding allocation for the 2021-24 period.
Councillors adopted the LTP on Monday with 10 votes in favour, while councillor Garry Jackson abstained.
Jackson said he could not support increasing staffing costs above the level of inflation, while he found the proposals for the development of the Queen Mary Heritage Reserve in Hanmer Springs did not meet the ‘‘standard of rigor’’ in financial management expected.
Mayor Marie Black said she was pleased with the LTP process.
‘‘This is a piece of work we have been involved in for a very long time, as elected members, in partnership with our staff and with our community.
‘‘We tried something a little bit different by going out as elected members and engaging directly with our community and on reflection I think it was a good decision.’’
The council had consulted on a proposed average rates rise of 12.37%, before instructing staff to go through the budgets with a fine tooth comb.
The staffing allocation was pruned back from 155.41 to 150.05 full-time equivalents and the councillors’ mileage allowance also had a trim.
But the pain is expected to continue, with a 14.49% rates hike predicted for the 2025-26 financial year.
The council consulted on investment in roading, the development of the Queen Mary Historic Reserve and rating for stormwater activities.
Provision has also been made to replenish the coastal bund at Amberley Beach.
A bund is a type of embankment which protects against the sea.
Amberley Beach ratepayers will be levied $303.56 a year, an increase from $258.83 a year, which was requested by the residents’ group.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Q&A: Ask a question about...Online Safety
Continuing with Neighbourly's online Q&A with experts in their field, this week we are tackling online safety with Jandy Fiske from Netsafe.
Jandy Fiske has been with Netsafe for nearly 8 years. Starting on their helpline, she's now Netsafe's Community Engagement Advisor. Jandy says: 'I'm passionate about online safety because I strongly oppose bullying and want to support those affected by it.'
Jandy is passionate about protecting vulnerable communities and is promoting online safety to ensure no one falls prey to online scams. She can answer your questions about any type of online scams, and also about online harm such as online bullying.
↓ Ask your question below now and she'll be online on Wednesday, 11th September to reply to you ↓
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Dual bird feeder
Put an empty wine bottle to good use with this feeder finished in Resene Clover that can cater for a range of garden birds.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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Meet Councillor Genevieve Robinson - Ōhoko/Christchurch Central constituency
A close-up experience with Tutumairekurai/Hector’s dolphins reinforced Councillor Genevieve Robinson’s commitment to protecting our coastal environment.
She’s also kept on her toes by our Youth Rōpu, who bring fresh perspectives and challenge us to think differently about the issues we face.
Hear more from Councillor Robinson, who represents Ōhoko/Christchurch Central, as she shares her views.
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