Infrastructure a key focus of Plan

On Thursday this week, Hastings district councillors will consider the 10-year draft Long Term Plan proposal for 2024-2034. 

The costs of the response and recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, combined with escalating costs of the materials required to maintain and build infrastructure, interest rate, labour and insurance, have combined to put enormous pressure on the cost of delivering Council’s core services. 

The first year of the draft Long-Term Plan proposes a 25 per cent rate increase; with 8 per cent targeted to cyclone recovery and 17 per cent to core services. The draft Long-Term Plan forecasts a 15 per cent rate increase the year after (year two) and a 10 per cent increase in year three.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said this is an infrastructure delivery budget. “We are a district in recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, rebuilding a resilient transport network as well as maintaining and investing in quality water infrastructure now and for the future.

The cyclone-recovery rate would enable the continued repair and replacement of the transport network and pay for Council’s contribution to the Category 3 Voluntary Buy-out Programme.

“Our transportation network was severely damaged through the cyclone, at a cost of $950 million. There were 13 bridges destroyed needing permanent replacements, and 80 more have structural defects. More than 200 slips on the roading network require significant engineered repair, and substantial work is also needed to install permanent culverts.

“Rebuilding our roads and bridges is essential for the economic and social wellbeing of our district and our region. Our primary sector is the engine room of our economy and quality infrastructure is vital to support our food and fibre industry.

“We are working with the Government to seek as much funding support as possible, to reduce the burden on our rate payers. This partnership with the government is critical for our recovery.”

Funding for cores services would be focused on non-cyclone road maintenance, the operation and improvement of three waters services and new infrastructure, and continuing to look after Council facilities, including parks, streets, community centres and libraries, Mrs Hazlehurst said.

“This plan provides for a high level of service to ensure our infrastructure and services meet the needs of our people, and replacing core infrastructure in a timely manner so we don’t land up with costly, emergency repairs, in a way that accommodates our growing district.”

Mayor Hazlehurst said: “I know this rate increase will be difficult, particularly for our people on low fixed incomes, but what we have been through over the past year and cost increases leave us with very few choices.

“That is why it is so important that you give us your feedback on this plan around the options we do have.”

Councillor Michael Fowler has led a working party which has closely scrutinised the finances to identify savings and reduce costs where possible.

“We have been through every part of the budget to look at where we can make cost savings, including what projects can be delayed to help reduce the rates burden, particularly in the next three years.

“Our budget projections focus on sustainably building back our cyclone damaged infrastructure without imposing a large cost burden on future generations.”

The agenda for this week’s meeting can be found here. 

Once adopted, the full consultation document outlining costs, projected expenditure, and priorities for investment will be available online from Friday, April 19, for the community to read and give feedback on.

15 April 2024

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