Kaipara District Mayor Dr Jason Smith says the recently adopted Long Term Plan is an example of “courageous, collaborative and cautious decision making”.

“We’d like to thank all of the people and groups who made submissions and the people who took time out of their days to join us at the hearings.

“The deliberation process has been thorough and there has been a lot of debate around the table as we carefully considered every submission received. We’ve been bold where we reasonably can be, we’re seeking better outcomes for the community and we’re living sensibly within our means” he said.

The average rates increase for the 2018/2019 year across the District is 4.97%, down from the consulted on 5.45%. Actual cost increases will differ between properties and communities.

Key projects to come out of the Long Term Plan 2018/2028 that was adopted at the June 26 Council meeting include;-

• Allocation of funding for a comprehensive review of the District Plan, with growth zoning aspects being the first priority.

• Delivering on agreed programmes of work – Mangawhai Community Plan, Kaiwaka Improvement Plan and Dargaville Placemaking projects.

• Transferred $200,000 over the first 3 years from Low Cost, Low Risk work to fund Walking and Cycling Strategy projects and new footpath programmes of work.

• There are also a number of investigation projects to look at improved digital capabilities for communities, facilitating business development, increased support for the Kaipara tourism sector, and a digital community hub for Dargaville.

At the Council meeting in May, a new Reserves Contributions (Use of) Policy was adopted which allocates 80% of funds collected into catchments, administered by a contestable fund to allocate funding from the reserves contributions pool. Updated Fees and Charges for 2018/2019 were also adopted at the meeting on June 26, to take effect from July 1 2018.

The full agenda report and 2018-2028 Long Term Plan can be found on Council’s website www.kaipara.govt.nz

ENDS

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