Getting through a double crisis: Central Hawke's Bay's economic recovery plan

CHB Mayor Alex Walker said the decision was a no-brainer, and something the council is passionate about putting into action. Photo / Warren Buckland

Central Hawke's Bay District Council has announced the adoption of an economic recovery plan, to help the district respond to the twin blows of Covid-19 and the ongoing drought.

The comprehensive plan features 18 action points that together, will see the delivery of emergency welfare, a softening of the financial blow, an economic recovery framework and fiscal stimulus packages to ensure the response has a long-term view.

CHB Mayor Alex Walker said the decision was a no-brainer, and something the council is passionate about putting into action.

"Our district, like many others, is currently weathering something of a perfect storm with these overlapping emergency situations.

"The ongoing drought conditions coupled with the Covid-19 alert level 4 restrictions are having a devastating effect on the economic and social wellbeing of our communities, and this is something we take with the utmost seriousness."

She said the emergency welfare response has already commenced, with the council leading the Civil Defence response for CHB.

"We have created an economic recovery and drought function within the Civil Defence structure, and we're liaising directly with regional counterparts to align work programmes," she said.

"We have worked collaboratively with local Taiwhenua, to ensure appropriate engagement and 'tautoko' (support) for hapū and mana whenua as part of this process."

She said the council is realistic about the likely long-term impact on communities, and has adopted a range of initiatives in response to this.

"Part of this includes a more lenient approach in terms of our rate payment policies, details of which are all outlined in the full recovery action plan."

The comprehensive plan features 18 action points that together, will ensure the response has a long-term view. Photo / File

Some initiatives have been targeted to address those suffering the most significantly. As an example, Council will look to utilise $200,000 from its Catastrophic Events Fund to fund the creation of a new Rates Rebate Fund.

"This will enable us to give a $200 rebate for up to 1000 ratepayers who are most impacted by the financial effects of Covid-19."

Council staff will begin to develop a Policy Framework to implement and manage this process, including eligibility.

Council will work in partnership with Centralines to create a Central Hawke's Bay Recovery Task Force, which will look at developing and supporting community/industry-led recovery projects to encourage fiscal stimulus in the face of such challenging times for the district.

Walker said the council is also investigating bringing forward or increasing parts of the district's capital programme to stimulate business and create jobs.

"This will see us working closely with government officials on how we ensure our District is part of any Hawke's Bay regional economic stimulus packages to help reduce social and economic impacts.

"The opportunities range across #thebigwaterstory, wastewater, roading, housing and other transformational community infrastructure projects linked to Project Thrive."

As part of this, council has already progressed additional Provincial Growth Fund applications for roading and other infrastructure projects.

Looking to the longer term, the development of a revised and reprioritised Economic Development Action plan and work programme will continue.

She said as a council, they take responsibility of providing a trusted source of guidance, direction and leadership in times like this, and that is a role they consider themselves very privileged to hold.

"We will lead Central Hawke's Bay through this and as a district - we will continue to thrive."