We can’t cut rates without cutting services

Its time to make submissions to the Whangarei District Council annual plan. We discussed this at Waipu Residents and Ratepayers last night, and although all of us would like to pay less rates, and have more money in our pockets, we all agreed that it is critical for Waipu and Bream Bay that current plans must proceed to seal roads, upgrade infrastructure, and implement structure plans. This is my submission, make your own here: WDC

1. The low rate increase barely keeps pace with inflation, so means a significant cut in services.

Service reduction has already been noted by people in our area – less road sealing, longer waits to implement structure plans, lack of adequate monitoring processes. I believe that such a cut at this time of growth in the district might give a short term benefit, but in the long run will leave our district unable to grow sustainably and become the ultimate living environment. Services and plans identified in the last annual plan, should NOT be cut. In the long term community plan process communities demanded that their local infrastructure needs be dealt with in the short and medium term, not the long term. The down stream effects of cutting services and putting off infrastructure investment will mean a significant cut in environmental quality and local services and infrastructure, and will slow economic development.

2. The implementation of Structure Plans into the District Plan should be given high priority.

In particular the Waipu Township Structure Plan and the Waipu Cove/Langs Beach Structure Plans. Funding should be allocated to allow these to be implemented in the shortest possible time. To delay this puts our whole environment at risk, and gives no security or clarity to developers.

3. Planned infrastructure developments in Waipu such as the upgrade of the sewerage system should be expedited in the shortest possible time. This is a high priority for our community.