Long-term Plan consultation document out now

Environment Southland’s Long-term Plan 2018-2028 consultation document is now available.

It outlines the significant issues and proposed changes and budget for the next 10 years, with particular emphasis on the next three years.

The significant issues relate to managing Southland’s freshwater resource and addressing water quality and quantity issues; and supporting communities to become more resilient, particularly in the face of climate change impacts, flooding risks and other potential shocks.

The council is proposing an 8.8% average rate increase for 2018-19, reflecting the increased workload to meet community and central government expectations for water quality, in particular. The increase equates to an average of $27 per rated property for the year.

Environment Southland Chairman Nicol Horrell said the council’s vision is for a thriving Southland, now and for the future.

“It will require all of us to acknowledge the complexity of the issues we face and the connectedness of the environment and our community – urban and rural.

“For Environment Southland it means working in partnership with our communities and others, and ensuring we have fair and equitable funding arrangements.”

Overall, funding will come from several sources, including reserves, investments, an increase in fees and charges, new charges, and general rate rises.

Environment Southland is also proposing increases to our fees and charges based on who uses and benefits from natural resource use across the whole region. A separate proposal of fees and charges is currently out for public consultation until 16 May 2018.

The Long-term Plan 2018-2028 consultation document will be delivered to mail boxes this month and is available online along with supporting information at es.govt.nz.

“The council is very interested to get people’s views so please take the time to read our consultation document and tell us what you think,” said Chairman Horrell.
(ENDS)

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