Kia Ora,

Developing our Long-term Plan (LTP) is one of Council’s biggest tasks, and we’re grateful to everyone who has shared their views with us over recent months. We’re now working through the options for formal consultation.

This will be a challenging plan to develop, but our goal isn’t just to cut costs. It’s to be more creative with what we have, including making better use of our depreciation funding.

One example is our footpaths. We want to present options that would shift us from watching things slowly decline towards seeing them improve over time. That won’t happen overnight, and we’ll need to be realistic about what we can afford but it also means being clear about our priorities, including what we may need to stop doing all together or deliver differently.

On economic development, we want options that would make sure we’re not missing funding opportunities and that the Tararua District is seen as an attractive place for people and businesses to invest. This would allow us to get the right opportunities in front of us, while recognising that it will be important to make the most of our strengths.

Understanding the views of the community early has given us clear direction, and we’ll continue these conversations as the plan takes shape. Formal consultation, which will begin early next year, will give people an opportunity to understand the choices and have their say.

Alongside this work, staff have been preparing Council’s Annual Report for the last financial year. It records both our progress and the challenges we face. I’m proud that it received an unmodified opinion (which in simple terms means a clean audit) and was adopted on time. Thank you to our staff involved for the significant amount of hard work behind the scenes.

Although not something Council controls, healthcare remains a concern across the district, so it’s pleasing to see progress in this area. Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-a-Rua’s purchase of the Pahiatua Medical Centre and Health New Zealand taking responsibility for Dannevirke Community Hospital are positive steps. The Tini Whetū partnership between Dr Short’s Surgery and Te Kete Hauora o Rangitāne also provides more choice for people looking to enrol with a GP. There’s more work to do, and I’ll continue advocating to Health New Zealand and Government Ministers for reliable, accessible care.

Finally, congratulations to Steve Dunn on receiving his 25-year Gold Star for volunteer firefighting service. As a Council staff member, we’re fortunate to draw on Steve’s experience, skills and calm leadership in emergency management. We’re grateful to him and all our volunteer firefighters, whose service helps keep our communities safe, as well as the families who support them.

Scott Gilmore - Mayor.