More ways than ever to comment on council plans
5 March 2015There's no excuse for Waipa's residents and ratepayers not to comment on the Council's spending plans for the next 10 years.
Waipa District Council has created a host of new ways for people to have their say about what's proposed for the next decade - ranging from social media options to commenting via video.
Next week [week beginning March 9] the council will begin distributing a booklet which outlines its spending proposals for the next decade. It covers a range of issues, council's plans to address them and the potential impact on household rates.
The booklet is the official consultation document for the Council's draft 10-Year Plan and is required by law. While the Council has also developed an online version, councillors directed that a printed booklet go to every household in the district. The cost to print and distribute the booklets is 81 cents per copy.
Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the cost - just over $17,000 - was worth it.
Given the booklet covers 10 years and spending plans in excess of $970 million, it's important everyone in the community, including those who are not online, can have a say before decisions are made, he said.
We've made a huge effort this year to get people engaged in major issues far earlier and that feedback has already been taken into account. This booklet brings all those issues together and provides an opportunity for people to see what it means and what needs to be prioritised.
He said there were three big areas for discussion; the options facing the district around water, wastewater and stormwater; proposed changes to Waipa's rating system; and the trade-offs needed in order to get some community projects underway.
Feedback on all proposals is needed by Monday, April 13 and can be done by:
- making an online submission (www.futurewaipa.co.nz)
- completing and returning the submission form included in the booklet
- making a verbal submission
- providing feedback via the Council's facebook page or Twitter account (@Waipa_DC)
- sending a letter or email to 10yearplan@waipadc.govt.nz
- providing a video clip (with assistance from council staff).
Events have also been arranged thoughout March and early April for people to meet directly with councillors and council staff and discuss what's proposed. Details of those events will be widely publicised.
Media enquiries, contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of council) 027 507 7599