KAWERAU District Council encourages stakeholders, residents and the business and industrial sector to make their submissions to the Long Term Plan 2021-2031.
Submissions formally close at 5:00pm on Monday, 14 June 2021.
Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell said, “Our focus during recent weeks has been engaging with the community about the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 and the consultation topics.”
“We have had more than a dozen meetings with Iwi and Tangata Whenua, Stakeholders, industry leaders, neighbours of Stoneham Park (the old Soccer Club grounds), Tarawera High School senior students and the Kawerau Youth Council, community organisations and also the public.”
The engagement hui have been held at a variety of Council and community venues and at different times of the day and after hours to ensure that stakeholders and the public would be able to attend.
“We even had a drop-in session at the Kawerau Markets one Thursday which was well received.”
“At these meetings, we have presented the major achievements and projects completed during the past three years. We have also presented the three major consultation topics planned for the coming years,” Mayor Campbell said.
The feedback about the range of meetings with respective stakeholders and the public has been positive.
“We have welcomed the opportunity to answer queries and engage with stakeholders and the public about the consultation topics which are important for the future of the Kawerau District.
Submissions have been coming in, but we wish to ensure that everyone who is considering having their say takes the opportunity before submissions close on Monday, 14 June 2021.
Submissions can be emailed to submissions@kaweraudc.govt.nz or a hard copy can be dropped into the Council offices by 5.00pm on Monday, 14 June 2021.
People who wish to speak to their submissions will have the opportunity to present to Councillors at the Hearing on Tuesday, 22 June 2021.
All submissions are considered by elected members in their decision making process, as they recognise not everyone can attend the hearing.
The Council will deliberate on the submissions on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 after which the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 will be adopted at a full Council Meeting on 27 July 2021.
The three consultation topics are:
- Replacing 48km of the old drinking water pipes over the next six years. Council will have to borrow $12 million to complete this.
- Using sales proceeds from the residential developments to keep the rates increase to 5.1% in year one of the Long Term Plan.
- Growing Our District by developing Stoneham Park (the old Soccer Club grounds). If the community supports the development, Council will continue to consult with stakeholders and neighbours about all the issues such as roading and traffic management, parks and green spaces, lighting and the layout of the subdivision. In parallel, we would work through the land reclassification process which we expect could take between one and two years.
Pictured: Members of the public at the Kawerau District Council engagement meeting for the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 held on the evening of Friday, 21 May 2021 at the Concert Chambers in Kawerau.
[ENDS]
For more information please contact Kawerau District Council Communications Manager Tania Humberstone on 027 464 3785.