Mayor's column for May

There’s now only a few days left for you to have your say in the long term future of the Waikato district.

Submissions on the Waikato District Council’s Long Term Plan, the document that outlines our vision for the next decade, close on May 9. We’ve completed our roadshows around the district where we outlined our goals through the Long Term Plan, and in turn we received lots of positive feedback from the community.

As you have probably read, we are looking at around a 2.4 per cent increase to the general rate. This increase is low when compared with other councils both around the Waikato and around New Zealand. Of course with the property revaluations carried out last year you may find your rates bill changes by a larger or smaller amount than this.

There are additional increases for those on targeted water, waste water and refuse rates, and unfortunately this is unavoidable, as increasing compliance requirements means it costs us more to provide those services.

The central theme of the Long Term Plan is that we are taking a prudent approach to the future. We are seeing many growth opportunities up ahead, particularly in the north of the Waikato. However your council is dedicated to taking a conservative approach and maintaining its fiscal responsibilities at a time when stories of high council debt are hitting headlines across the country.

I urge you to get in and have your say about these and other issues affecting the future of our district.

I’d also like to congratulate a neighbour of mine, Steve Morgan, who won a swag of awards at the Auckland Royal Easter Show with his pure-bred Hereford cattle, including and the Supreme Champion Hereford and the Beef Breeds Supreme Champion.

This has been anything but an overnight success –  it’s a reward for 20 years of careful, patient work. It started out as a hobby and has ended up with Steve’s Joshstar Stud recognised as having world-class Herefords.

It’s great to see what you can achieve when you take a long-term view.

 

Allan Sanson

Mayor Waikato district

mayor@waidc.govt.nz