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Last days to have your say

Last days to have your say

It’s the last week to have your say on Council’s Long Term Plan 2015 – 2025 as public submissions close on Friday 17 April.

“This is a chance for people to influence the direction Council will take and what we do over the next 10 years,” says Mayor Meng Foon.

“Our consultation document, Tairawhiti First! 2015 – 2025 outlines the key projects and strategies Council propose to deliver and we want to hear what the community think of these plans,”

“Last year Council asked our community about what you wanted for our district and we received a considerable amount of feedback from a series of meetings and through social media.”

“People told us they wanted us to look after our environment and improve the health of our waterways and to continue to build more cycle and walkways,
“All while keeping rates low.

The proposed plan outlines an average 2% increase in rates for the next 3 years, as well as changes to how rates are set.

Napier City Council proposes 2.9% for the next financial year and Whakatane District Council 3.6%.

“While keeping the increases low we are still able to accomplish a lot,” says Mayor Foon.

An average of $13 million more in funding has been allocated to environmental projects.

“We’re proposing to restore native plants and species at Waingake and Titirangi and allocating money now for freshwater plan projects,”

“Overall, Council propose to put more resources towards safeguarding our environment and people need to tell us if they support this in the plan or not,” says Mr Foon.

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A number of major capital projects are also proposed, including the Waipaoa Flood Control Scheme, Wetlands and a Wastewater Reduction Programme.

“We think the proposed plans show the commitment to protecting our environment and investing in our community.”

Walking and cycling is another major component in the plan with more than half of submissions received supporting safer links for travelling to school and educating children.

The plan outlines routes for completion within 6 years, 12 years and longer term.

“Our plan is a complete long term package and we’ll be applying to NZ Transport to help us fund the routes.”

“We’re considering a junior learn to ride park and bikes in schools programme and need to know if the community supports our investment in these,”

Many of the major projects are significantly funded by grants or other income.

“Over the life of the Long Term Plan $95m of Council funding by rates, loans or reserves will be spent on our major projects but $184m is spent on upgrading and maintaining what we already have.”

The community can expect the similar or better levels of service in public amenities, parks and in the city centre.

Mayor Meng Foon has been travelling the district presenting the plan to local residents at a series of community meetings.
“The meetings give us a chance to talk about the area you live in and what plans there are in your community and how they fit in the bigger picture,” says Mayor Meng Foon
The last meetings are on this week at Makauri School 5.30pm on Wednesday, Tiniroto Community Hall 5.30pm & Waerenga-o-Kuri Hall 7pm on Friday.
Get a copy of the consultation document and submission form at www.gdc.govt.nz, from council offices, the library, Olympic Pools and a number of retail, banks and cafes around Gisborne and in rural communities.
Make a submission to have your say on what you support or oppose in the plan:
· In Writing: Submission form, Letter or Email LongTermPlan@gdc.govt.nz
· Online: www.gdc.govt.nz or using #GizzyLTP on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube
· Verbal: Call customer services or come to a meeting
· Reo: In your own language

ENDS

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