Unpopular decisions need to be made to limit rates increases, according to a new Wanganui councillor.
Jenny Duncan, 57, the former president of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce, said hard choices need to be made, which may upset some residents.
"When we campaigned there was a lot of talk about rates and debt, but then when we got in it was about saving trees or selling parks," she said.
"We all want our rates to reduce, but when issues become personal we don't want the hard decisions to be made."
Elected to council in October, she said she enjoyed the new challenge.
"I am looking forward to what we do achieve. I believe Wanganui can do great things."
"I was already familiar with council process so am quite comfortable with the environment and how it works, which is not to say some areas don't need improvement."
She said economic development and growth were her main goals.
The chartered accountant and business coach said where the council could, it needed to sell assets.
"It is a big challenge, there is no doubt about it. We need to keep rates at an acceptable level."
"I am not a believer in spending a lot of money to get things done."
Mrs Duncan said she was born in Wanganui but left several times to travel and live elsewhere, returning the last time in 1999.
She felt that she could make a bigger difference on the council than through her position on the chamber of commerce, she said.
She said the new group of councillors worked well together and she expected there to be more action on council this term.
"The four new councillors all seem to be thinking along similar lines, even if we had different campaign slogans."
She said her favourite local spot was Castlecliff Beach, where she intended to move with her husband.
"It is a wild beach that has so many faces. It changes daily. I love it."
She said that over the past three years, mayor Annette Main had worked hard to bring the community together.
"She has done a great job, but she has done a very poor job at letting people know how well she has done."
Mrs Duncan said she would stay on the council as long as she enjoyed it and could be effective.
- sam.duff@wanganuichronicle.co.nz