The HC Post sent each Thames-Coromandel mayoral candidate the same set of questions ahead of the local body elections. These are candidate Eric Carter's answers:
Q What do you see as the most pressing issues for the Thames-Coromandel district in the next three years?
Firstly keeping rates under control no more than inflation with regard to
maintaining what we have and looking at capital costs as a separate issue.
Keeping ahead of central government changes, Three Waters, RMA, and
changes to the local bodies act plus whatever else is thrown at local councils.
Q What is your stance on the Government's Three Waters reforms?
Waters is no good for the Thames Coromandel. In a 22-district unitarian authority, we would hardly rate a mention. We must change this; we do need water reforms but not by theft.
Q Do you think rates are affordable and what cuts (if any) would you make to minimise rate rises?
We are rated 15 per cent higher than any other district in New Zealand. Our
geographical makeup has a lot to do with this, but still, we must keep in check our spending, maintain our current assets and have more control on key capital expenditure.
Q Please state your views on the following in one sentence per topic:
The development of a boardwalk on the beachfront in Whangamatā?\
With climate change and sea level rise anything spent on the foreshore must
be future-proofed.
