Central Hawke's Bay looks at new ways to make money

Mayor Alex Walker said rates affordability was vital to a thriving Central Hawke's Bay. Photo File

Central Hawke's Bay District Council is trying to solve a problem faced by many councils: a lack of cash.

CHBDC adopted a non-rateable income funding strategic framework at its meeting on Wednesday, which will enable it to look for new revenue streams other than rates.

Central Hawke's Bay is a small community, with a small rateable base, but has some major capital projects, especially around water security and impact of weather events on the district roads.

Mayor Alex Walker said rates affordability was vital to a thriving Central Hawke's Bay.

"Through the adoption of this strategy we set clear direction to the council business to reduce our reliance on rates through a variety of mechanisms.

"This is not easy to do, but we want the council to be thinking proactively and creatively about how we bring other funds into our community."

There is increasing recognition of funding pressures in the local government sector across New Zealand, and the Government is currently reviewing the way in which local government is funded, with a draft report expected by June this year.

CEO of CHBDC, Monique Davidson , said the work the council was doing could compliment what was happening on a national level.

"The timing of this work positions Central Hawke's Bay District well in demonstrating the significant funding challenges and opportunities, and has the potential to compliment the work underway at a national level.

"There is great opportunity for us to be leading the way in these transformational opportunities for our community to thrive."

Central Hawke's Bay District Council is looking at ways of funding capital projects and work by ways other than rates. Photo / File

On adoption of the framework, the chief executive will develop an operational work programme that looks to achieve the key initiatives over a three-year programme.

The work programme will look to prioritise those initiatives that the council has identified as of most importance.