Councillors listen to community feedback on Long-term Plan proposals

Environment Southland councillors agreed to reduce forecast rates rises and to transition towards a new rating model over the next two years in response to feedback.

Councillors concluded the third day of deliberations on the draft Long-term Plan today (19 June) and confirmed the draft budgets and 2024-2034 Long-term Plan, 2024-2054 Infrastructure Strategy, Revenue and Financing Policy and Rating Review, and the Fees and Charges Schedule.

Council’s key consultation proposal was focused on significant investment in flood protection to improve community resilience. As a result of the 330 submissions, Council has reduced its proposed $2.3m investment in flood protection to $1.17m in 2024-2025 by using reserves rather than rates, as well as changing the timing of some of the work.

Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said planning and delivering long-term flood resilience was a core part of the regional council’s work to help keep communities as safe as possible ahead of time, but how to pay for that was the question.

“The reserves are there for a rainy day, and the community is telling us it’s raining,” he said.

The average annual total rates increase has decreased from the initial proposed 23% to 12.6%. This means for a $450,000 property the impact would be $34 per annum, or 67c a week.

There was community support for ongoing flood protection in the region, but there were also suggestions around how much and how fast work should happen, Chairman Horrell said.

“We were hugely encouraged to receive a record number of submissions for a Long-term Plan. We’ve taken the time needed to listen, understand and respond to people’s thoughts and concerns.

“Affordability issues were front of mind for councillors during deliberations and we have found savings and efficiencies across the organisation, while ensuring the Council’s statutory obligations continue to be met.”

Key decisions made by Council include:

• The funding of the flood protection operating expenditure with $2.34m of lease area reserves to reduce the impact on rates over four years, as consulted on with Catchment Liaison Committees.
• There will be a two-year transition to a Capital Value rating system and there will be further consultation during 2024-2025 on whether there is a local rate or regional rate to fund river management programmes.
• The use of $1.38m over four years from biosecurity and land sustainability surpluses to fund their ongoing work programmes and offset rates.
• The flood protection capital works programme from 2027-2028 onwards is indicative, and will only progress subject to detailed planning being undertaken, government funding being available, and further consultation with the community.

The plan will be formally adopted next month.

Keep up to date with progress at www.es.govt.nz/ltp