ŌTOROHANGA Mayor Max Baxter
Will 2024 deliver on all promises?
The year is at an end and I reflect on the promises, dreams and aspirations of all political parties made pre-election, which is now a distant memory.The election, as expected had extensive news coverage and the result will have the biggest impact on local government in my time on council.
The change in government and their coalition policies have resulted in a myriad of emotions and reactions across the country.
This coalition has a lot of work to maintain a positive and collaborative working partnership while ensuring the country is on a positive financial path in their term in office.
While some people will support various changes, for good reason, others have been left feeling deeply hurt and angry. How we navigate the challenges and proposed changes as a nation is yet to be seen. As people exercise their right to express their concerns and opposition, let’s hope any protests remain peaceful.
The effect of the changes in the government’s policies and direction will certainly impact local government. Set to be cut are the freshly passed RMA reforms along with the 3 waters reforms.
If the challenges of proposed changes have not been enough over the last couple of years the further changes to 3 waters delivery is a planning nightmare for councils.
Already we have to present a long-term plan with the delivery of the water services provided by the council removed after the first two years of our 10-year plan.
Now, we are working through further changes with cabinet expected to repeal the previous government’s water services legislation in February.
With all this uncertainty, the potential cost implications, Waka Kotahi not confirming their roading subsidy to the council in time for our long-term plan and ever-increasing auditing requirements, it is incredibly challenging for elected members and staff to navigate through such uncertainty.
What is the council’s focus? Through our various engagements we continue to hear from you, our commmunities, that people, place and partnership are important.
That is and will continue to be our focus now and through the upcoming long-term plan.
As you have seen across the country there have been some very high proposed rates increases.
While we are still refining our budgets and considering the services we provide to our district, I will say the funding model for local government is flawed and unsustainable.
Councils are custodians of, and are responsible for, community assets, wellbeing outcomes, along with delivering and enforcing regulations set by central government.
In order to do this our main mechanism for funding is through property tax (rates).
For all businesses costs have esculated rapidly in recent times and for council it is no different. This unfortunately has a direct impact on rates for us to continue to deliver the same service.
These increasing costs are primarily driven by inflation, interest rates and depreciation (the cost of replacing assets).
Asking our community to continually absorb these costs is simply unsustainable.
The recent Future for Local Government report, commissioned by the previous government, highlighted this as one of our key issues and the collective of mayors and our supporting national bodies will be doing our best to find lasting solutions to present to the new coalition Government.
As the cost of everything increases and Christmas is only days away I ask that you spend your money locally.
If we don’t support one another, we will be at risk of seeing businesses close and our people without employment.
On a more positive note, I could not think of a better district in which to live.
At a time when people, families and businesses are under the pump, it is really humbling to see the support people show for each other.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge all those agencies, groups, organisations and individuals that support our families and individuals when they need it the most.
The council provides funding to the Ōtorohanga Support House, Thrive, Ōtorohanga District Development Board and the Ōtorohanga Employment Hub who all work hard to deliver key services to our people, and there are many more unsung heroes in our community. My sincerest gratitude, thank you.
Have a safe and happy festive season.
Ngā mihi nui.
