NPDC has achieved a general rates operating surplus of more than $320,000 while its Perpetual Investment Fund made a return of $21 million (more than $13 million over budget) in the 2017/2018 financial year, according to NPDC’s latest Annual Report.

“It’s a pleasing result. The fact we were able to absorb some unexpected costs (February storm damage and Yarrow Stadium operational remediation) and still finish the year under budget shows we have a firm focus on cost control. Evidence of Council’s sound financial management was recognised in November when international credit agency Standard and Poor’s reconfirmed NPDC’s financial rating as ‘AA/A-1’,” says NPDC Chief Executive Craig Stevenson.

NPDC managed assets valued at about $2.6 billion, had a yearly operating budget of $135 million, and is putting a renewed focus on investing in core infrastructure after talking to residents about what it should be doing in the next decade.

“There was an incredible response to our 10-Year Plan public conversation with more than 4,000 submissions on what we should be focussed on, a record for a non-metropolitan council,” says Mayor of the New Plymouth District, Neil Holdom.

“It’s clear our residents want us to invest more in our three waters infrastructure – drinking, waste and storm water. We’ve responded by allocating more than $44 million over the next decade for water resilience and more than $21 million towards Zero Waste 2040,” the Mayor says.

Another highlight from the 10-Year Plan conversation, was agreeing to extend the Coastal Walkway from Bell Block to Waitara, creating a pedestrian and cycle link that promotes connectivity and well-being to the district’s two main population centres.

Other milestones over the past year include:

• In a major step towards unlocking the region’s potential for economic growth, NPDC worked with the other Taranaki councils, Nga Iwi O Taranaki and the business community on Tapuae Roa.

• The TSB Festival of Lights saw a 20% rise in visitors to nearly 9,600 over the 2017/2018 summer. The value added to the regional economy jumped from $4.6million to $5million.

• Yusuf/Cat Stevens played to a packed out (capacity approximately 15,000) TSB Bowl of Brooklands in December while Bryan Adams rocked the venue in January.

• NPDC won two major awards after it became the first New Zealand local authority to create a fully digital Draft District Plan.

• Pukekura Park was awarded the Green Flag international mark of a quality park or green space for the fifth year running.

• Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs helped Puke Ariki set new visitor records including the most visitors in a single day (1,920) and the most visitors to an exhibition at the museum (75,000).

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