At the same time as rejecting the proposed water rating model, the council also decided to initiate a rating review once the future funding requirements for drinking water in light of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry, and the cost of investigating wastewater solutions, had been determined.
CHB Mayor Alex Walker said there had been a lot of discussion among councillors about the rating system.
"The review would look at the whole rating mechanism - where rates are being collected from and which people to rate for which activities in a number of areas including water, wastewater and land transport.
"It's a lengthy process, but it's been a number of years since it was last done and we would probably start within the next few months and it would take 12 to 18 months - it's a big project but well justified."
Investment in drinking, waste and stormwater infrastructure was also mooted in the LTP and the council decided to adopt its proposal to increase borrowing for the
three activities to $22.8 million, the loans to be repaid over 35 years.
Another big-ticket item was a prospective upgrade of the Waipawa and District Centennial Memorial Baths, and the council adopted its proposal to contribute $650,000 in the 2018/2019 financial year for the construction of a new 25m pool, a learn to swim pool/playpool and new filtration, with the balance of the $1.7m project to come from community fundraising.
This would mean the pool would be up and running this summer.
Walker said most submissions on the matter supported investing in the pool.
"We recognised that this was a strategic asset that was important to the whole district and which complements our other activities."
Waipawa resident Pip Burne said questions about the future of the pool had been raised since at least 2011 when it featured in the Long Term Plan, and interest had increased in the past few years.
"It's the only cold water public pool in Central Hawke's Bay - the other option is the river which is not always safe.
"Submissions in support of the pool came from far and wide, not only Waipawa, and it's great they have listened to submitters."
Although the community had a big task in front of it to raise the remaining $1.1m for the entire project, Burne said she had every confidence it could be done.
"There's certainly a bit of a shortfall but Waipawa has a history of successful fundraising such as the band rotunda at Nelly Jull Park and the CHB Municipal Theatre - I'm really excited."
The council also agreed to set aside $50,000 per annum to contribute to the development of town and community plans to provide a guide for future development.
Based on the full deliberations, it was expected the total rate rise would be in line with that included in the Long Term Plan 2018-2028 consultation document, however rate increases for individual ratepayers would change based on this week's decisions.
Council officers would now amend and finalise the LTP document that would be considered for adoption at a council meeting on May 31.
