Rotorua Lakes Council long-term plan consultation now open

Rotorua. Photo / Getty

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick has invited the public to have its say on the direction of the district for the next 10 years.

Consultation on Rotorua Lakes Council's 2021 - 2031 long-term plan opened on Tuesday this week, and will run until 4pm on April 30.

Long-term plans, undertaken every three years, set out what the council proposes to achieve over the next 10 years and how those goals would be funded.

The council's proposals are set out in its consultation document, titled 'Mahi', available on the council website.

On Tuesday Chadwick said elected members had been "listening and hearing the same issues consistently raised" by the community.

"We have worked hard to develop a set of actions that will address these concerns for the benefit of our community now, and into the future.

"These proposed actions are explained in our LTP consultation document."

She said beginning on Tuesday the community could review the plans and advise the council if they'd "got it right".

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / File

She said feedback was "vital".

"You may have heard this plan be described as transformational, and visionary. It is just that.

"To achieve bold outcomes, we need bold action. At such a critical time, it would not go far enough to propose anything less.

"There is a lot of mahi to do to make Rotorua a thriving and prosperous place for everyone.

"The change will not happen overnight, and we cannot do it alone.

"We are proposing significant investment. But this is investment in the areas that you, our community, have told us are the most important."

The LTP consultation document was developed based on the council's key priorities, which reflect the issues the community has previously told the council are important, a council press release stated.

"The consultation document includes key questions for the community to consider - particularly around levels of investment."

The community is being asked to consider the level of investment proposed for the Aquatic Centre, the council's community safety plan, changes to fees and charges and the consideration of rates affordability.

Rotorua Lakes Council last week. Photo / File

The consultation document proposed raising rates to 9.2 per cent in 2022, with rates rising an average of 3.8 per cent over the following nine years.

It also proposes to lower the uniform annual general charge from $475 to $425.

"The community is encouraged to read through the consultation document, consider the mahi that is proposed and take the opportunity to share their thoughts with [the] council."

Feedback can be provided online on the council's website, on a feedback form available from the council, or at one of seven feedback sessions hosted by the council.

"Ka whaiwhakaaro te kaunihera i ngā kōrerorero katoa o te hāpori hei whakatau I te Mahere Pae Tawhiti. Ā te 30 o Hune 2021 ka whakatau i te Mahere Pae Tawhiti.

"All feedback will be considered by [the] council and used to finalise the long-term plan.
Adoption of the Long-term Plan will occur by 30 June 2021."

Feedback session dates:

7 April: Rotorua Lakes Council chamber, 6pm - 8pm

12 April: Rotoiti Sports Club, 6pm - 8pm

14 April: Mamaku Hall, 6.30pm – 8.30pm

20 April: Te Ao Marama, Ōhinemutu, 6pm – 8pm

22 April: Rotorua Lakes Council chamber, 6pm – 8pm

27 April: Te Tākinga Marae, Mourea, 6pm – 8pm

28 April: Tangatarua Marae, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, 6pm – 8pm

Submit on Rotorua Lakes Council's 2021-2031 long-term plan here.