GDC 2014/15 Annual Plan Summary

Council’s Plans for 2014/15Ngā kaupapa o te Kaunihera 2014/15

Have your say on our draft plan before 17 April 2014

2 GISBORNE DISTRICT COUNCIL DRAFT 2014/15 ANNUAL PLAN SUMMARY

The big

pictureTe kaupapa nūnui nei

Nau mai haramai koutou ki nga korero e pa ana ki nga rārangi mahi me nga ture hou o tatau te Kaunihera a rohe o te Tairāwhiti.

Welcome to Council’s Draft Annual Plan Summary for 2014/15. During my election campaign for Mayor I made commitments on the areas that, if elected, I intended to work on. This is the first Annual Plan post that election and I have worked with councillors, Judy and the staff of Council to deliver on as much as we can in this first year.

Each of our annual plans comes from the base provided by the Ten Year Plan (which we update every three years – so it fits with the election cycle). So in this Annual Plan are some of the projects we have all already discussed and agreed on like the War Memorial Theatre and the Cenotaph. These are now making good progress and are in construction phase.

Chief Executive Judy Campbell

Estimated 2014/15 Rates Increase

Mayor Meng Foon

$1.3msaving

$3msaving

Total Rates $m Rates Savings $mfrom TYP*

Total % Increase

Actual 2010/11

Total Rates $m

Actual 2011/12

Actual 2012/13

Budget 2013/14

Budget 2014/15

Rates % Increase

Then there are projects that we have talked about for a long time that we are finally making some real steps forward on – like the Navigations Project walkway in the harbour and the Wainui and Waikanae cycleways. Eventually I would love to see a cycleway that extends all the way to Te Kuri a Paoa (Young Nicks Head). We can have that discussion later this year as we develop the next long term plan.

As a Council we are working hard on keeping rates affordable, while doing all of the things we need to do. Originally the Ten Year Plan proposed rates increases of 5.4% for this coming year. In line with my commitment for lower rates increases (2% and under) we are now proposing an increase of only 1.9%.


This means Council will collect $3m less from you the ratepayer. Compared to the Ten Year Plan, savings were made last year as well, so over two years that’s $4.3m not collected from the community in rates.

Judy and I are clear that this can be delivered without compromising service levels – and particularly without neglecting key infrastructure. In fact we have also been listening to you, the community, and are considering bringing forward planned works on the wastewater system in order to avoid the need to release diluted wastewater into the rivers at times of heavy rain. We think we could could cut the timeline in half, from ten years to around five years, for the almost $26m project.

The rural townships are not forgotten. Improvements to Tolaga Bay’s main street will happen this year (page 12). We will also be concentrating on the general maintenance and tidiness of all township parks, reserves, toilets and public amenities.

The big

pictureTe kaupapa nūnui nei

Looking to the futureThis year we will be looking ahead to develop the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan. Having ticked off several major projects from our last plan, we can start to think about what is next. We will need your help to determine the priorities and projects for the district. Look out for our early engagement conversation starters around July to get involved.

It is also a time of new policy development in several areas such as alcohol, legal highs and freedom camping. We are very interested in your views on these issues and encourage you to tell us what you think.

Community update meetingsFor more information on the draft 2014/15 Annual Plan come to one of the many Community Update Meetings being held during March and April (see page 14 for details). Tell us what you think at the meetings, or by completing a submission form online at www.gdc.govt.nz.

Mayor Meng Foon


What will I pay?Most ratepayers can expect a small rates increase in the next year. Council is proposing to collect an extra 1.9% in rates. How much the rates on your property increase (or decrease) will vary depending on where you live, the value of your property and what services you receive.

Around 10,600 properties will have a small increase of up to $100.

Money mattersNgā āhuatanga pūtea

Rates - $51.3m (61%)Other Revenue - $13.7m (16%)Grants and Subsidies - $18.2m (22%)Dividends and Interest - $0.8m (1%)

1%

22%

16%61%

The best way to find out what Council proposes to rate your property from 1 July 2014 is to check out the rates comparison tool on our website:www.gdc.govt.nz/rates-comparison-tool

Did you know...

Council is proposing to collect $51m in rates. This is $3m less than we budgeted in the 2012-2022 Ten Year Plan. Council is committed to minimising rates increases. To do this we will focus on working smarter as an organisation and to maximise our other income. This will include a review of Council’s Commercial Operations.

Council’s income is expected to be $84m - where does the money come from?

Total Rates Movement for the 2014/15 Year

Rates on about 10,000 properties (around 45%) are expected to decrease slightly this year. The majority of them will be in the city and surrounding areas. Another 10,600 properties (around 48%) are expected to have small increases of between $0.01 and $100 this year (around $2 per week).

Rates on 167 properties will increase by over $500 this year - that is over $10 per week. The properties that are mainly affected are those that have a high capital value or have had a significant increase in capital value in the last year.


Proposed changes to Rates Remissions PoliciesCouncil can reduce (or remit) all or part of your rates in certain circumstances which are set out in Rates Remission policies. Council has created three new remissions and reviewed a number of existing policies as a result of recent rating issues and inefficiencies identified with the current processes. The proposed new Rates Remission policies are:1. Excess Water Rates - This allows

Council to provide rates remissions for ratepayers who are charged water by the meter in cases where water usage is high due to a water leak. Most residential ratepayers are charged a set rate for water. Commercial and industrial ratepayers are metered and charged per cubic metre.

2. Economic Development - This allows Council to grant rates remissions for business expansions or new businesses considered strategically important to the economic development of the district.

3. 2014/15 Targeted Plants and Pests, Rural Fires and Soil Conservation rates - This continues the reductions offered in 2013/14 to properties most affected by increases due to changes to three targeted rates. The rates which caused large increases were pests and plants, rural fires and soil conservation.

More details are available on our website:www.gdc.govt.nz/

draft-annual-plan-2014-15 These changes are an amendment to the Rates Remissions Policies in the 2012-2022 Ten Year Plan and your feedback on them is welcomed.

30%

5%

8%

3%6%12%

3%

15%

4%

4%2%1% 6%

Land Transport & Parking - $24.0mSolid Waste Management - $4.1mWastewater - $6.1mStormwater - $2.8mWater Supply - $4.9m

Recreation and Leisure Facilities - $9.3m

Community Planning and Development - $2.2mGovernance and Support Services - $12.1mRegulatory Services - $3.5mConservation - $3.3m

Flood Control - $1.8mPlanning - $0.9mOther Services - $5.1m

How will the money be spent?This draft Annual Plan proposes to spend $80m, this is $2m less than forecast in the 2012-2022 Ten Year Plan. The largest amount will be spent on our core infrastructure.

In addition we will spend $32m on capital projects, including $8m on our major projects such as the cycle and walkway extensions, the War Memorial Theatre, Cenotaph and Library extension. Council is in a good financial position with less estimated debt for 2014/15 than budgeted in the Ten Year Plan.

http://www.gdc.gopvt.nz/annual-plan-2014-15

http://www.gdc.gopvt.nz/annual-plan-2014-15


Bike to the beachBuilding a boardwalk between Waikanae and Midway beaches is likely to start this year. Detailed designs are being finalised before resource consent is sought. You can have your say on the proposal during the resource consent process. The boardwalk will link to the Alfred Cox Cycle and Walkway that opened in December 2013.

Where to next for future cycle and walkways in Gisborne? Would you focus on safer cycling between home, work and school? Would you focus on extending the paths all the way to Young Nicks Head?

Let us know when we review the Walking and Cycling Strategy later this year.

Partnering for better roadsConstruction will start soon on the much anticipated Wainui Cycleway. Commuters will be able to safely cycle from Wainui to Kaiti in July this year. This is an NZTA project that is being managed by Council. It is just one example of the close ties being formed between the organisations.

Getting the best value for every dollar spent on roads is the aim of a proposed new partnership between Council and NZTA called ‘Tairāwhiti Roads’. It will manage local roads and highways in the Gisborne region as one roading network.

This is a new and innovative way of jointly managing our roading network – the first of its kind in New Zealand. The aim is to provide you with the best possible network of roads for consistent and safe travelling for all road users.

Keeping you safe & connectedTe haumaru me te hononga i a koe


Making our schools saferCouncil will work on improving road safety for children around schools this year. Potential solutions include road marking, active signs and 40km speed reductions during school start and finish times.

Keeping you safe & connectedTe haumaru me te hononga i a koe

The future of East Coast wharves

The wharves at Tokomaru Bay and Wharekahika (Hicks Bay) are in poor condition and may not be safe. Tolaga Bay wharf has been restored through fundraising by the local trust. Is this an option for the other wharves? Council is proposing to spend up to $100k over the next two years to develop business cases for the future of each wharf. We will work with the Tokomaru Bay Community Trust on this during 2014/15. Hicks Bay wharf will be looked at the following year.

What else is Council doing?• Replacing the older Turanganui River timber retaining walls.• Improving drinking water quality in the Whatatutu Township - depending on funding from the Ministry of Health.• Increasing surveillance to keep roaming dogs off the streets.• Landscaping and improvements to walking tracks are planned for Titirangi Reserve.


Improving our community facilitiesGetting ready to commemorate World War OneBigger and better shows are on the horizon now that work has begun on the new War Memorial Theatre. Thanks to the Gisborne community and many generous donors, Gisborne will enjoy a redeveloped theatre in time for ANZAC Day 2015. A celebration concert will be planned for the opening.

Repairs to the Gisborne Cenotaph are underway thanks to a grant of $617k from the World War One Commemoration Fund. Insurance and $130k rates funding make up the balance. By November 2014, the Cenotaph will be restored and the soldier back in his rightful place.

Ideally all the cenotaphs and war memorials in the region will get a tidy up in time for commemorations in 2015. This will depend on the success of applications to the Lottery Grants Board.

Te whakapai ake i ngā whakaurunga hāpori

What else is Council doing?

• Progressing the Tairawhiti

Navigations and Inner

Harbour Development Project.

• Upgrading the Olympic Pool

is still planned. Scoping,

including links to the

Adventure Playground, will

start this year. Although

construction is planned

for 2017/18.

• Making improvements to our

destination playgrounds.

• The Botanical Gardens

Reserve Management Plan

will be implemented which

includes new plantings,

pathways and recreation

equipment.

• Reviewing the Waihirere

Reserve Management Plan.

More space in the LibraryLook forward to a bigger and more accessible library. There will be more room for all the different users of the Library from children’s groups to quiet study. Concept plans for the expansion of the HB Williams Memorial Library are being developed. Council will be consulting on the concepts in June 2014. Construction is expected to begin early 2015 .


A safe base for Council staff and customersThree buildings, including the Lawson Field Theatre, in Council’s Fitzherbert Street complex have been assessed as earthquake prone. Concepts received last year are now being developed into workable options for the site.

Initial investigations show that strengthening the Lawson Field Theatre could be a good option but strengthening is likely to be uneconomical for Council’s 2001 building and the 1953 building. Proposed costs to provide safe buildings for staff, and you our customers, range from $7m–$9m.

The preferred concepts will be identified in April 2014 and public consultation will follow. Construction is planned for October 2015 to October 2016.

pho

to gisbo

rne h

eraldA goal for better sports groundsAre our sports grounds accessible and affordable? Do you think we are spending ratepayer money on the right things for our sports grounds? Are you happy with the quality of the sports parks you and your children use?

Ensuring a good match between the sports grounds Council provides, numbers of people participating in different codes and the level of play, is a priority for Council in the next year.

Council will spend over $200k on sports facilities in 2014/15 targeted towards developing community sporting hubs. To guide the use, development, and management of our sports grounds, a draft Sports Park Management Plan has been prepared and will be released for feedback.

Check out the summary of the plan when it becomes available (www.gdc.govt.nz) and make sure you have your say by making a submission.

http://www.gdc.govt.nz

http://www.gdc.govt.nz


Caring for our environmentTe tiaki i te taiao

A FOCUS ON WATERThe water crisis in January highlighted the importance of having an abundant supply of freshwater for our households and industry. With severe water restrictions in place we were all aware of how much we rely on our infrastructure to supply water for drinking, washing, watering and industrial processing.

To reduce the likelihood of another break Council is undertaking a risk assessment of the Waingake trunk pipeline. This will take into account the geotechnical issues of the area. We will also continue with an ongoing maintenance programme to the pipeline and ensure the readiness of the backup Waipaoa Water Treatment Plant.

Ensuring we have enough good quality water where and when we need it, while maintaining our freshwater areas for recreation and natural ecosystems, is a priority for Council.

Reducing wastewater dischargesNo one wants to release wastewater into our city rivers. Unfortunately in heavy rain Council’s wastewater pipes can’t handle the extra stormwater and groundwater that gets into them. To avoid wastewater overflowing onto private property and roads, Council’s only option currently is to release diluted wastewater directly into the rivers. This happens about 2-4 times each year.

Almost $26m is budgeted in Council’s Ten Year Plan to upgrade the waste-water system. Council is considering accelerating the timeframe for upgrading the pipes and pumps.

Setting the standardsCouncil is preparing a Freshwater Plan for the district. It will set out the water quality standards we expect for our waterways and will establish methods to avoid over-allocating water. A draft plan will be ready for your feedback in August.

This year water quantity and quality limits will be set for the Waipaoa catchment. The Waiapu will be next followed by other catchments in the region. Find out more on Council’s website:

www.gdc.govt.nz/freshwater-plan/

http://www.gdc.govt.nz/freshwater-plan/


Reducing erosion in the Waiapu catchmentOwners of erosion-prone land in the Waiapu Catchment can look forward to better and simpler services to help them address their erosion issues.

Council, Ministry for Primary Industries and Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou have recently signed a joint governance agreement to address unsustainable land use within the Waiapu River catchment. The programme will start by:

• targeting the erosion prone land blocks that cause the greatest damage to the catchment

• looking to simplify the East Coast Forestry Project

• developing a wider range of land treatment options.

Managing our treated wastewaterCouncil’s Wastewater Technical Advisory Group has been looking at alternative use and disposal options for the city’s wastewater once it has been treated at our new Wastewater Treatment Plant. A floating wetland and other biological processes to further treat the water are options currently being trialled. Council will decide on which option to investigate further in May.

• Installing new radar water level se

nsors to improve river

monitoring.

• Completing the Wainui Beach Managem

ent Strategy.

• Working with the Kopututea Trust to

stop illegal dumping

and increase dune planting.

• Reviewing the Regional Pest Managem

ent Strategy 2010-2015.



Tolaga Bay Main Street spruce upA spruce up of the main street is the first priority in the Tolaga Bay Township Plan. This year Council is working with the community to make it happen. New curb and channelling, replacing old footpaths with new pavers and installing crossing islands to slow traffic on the highway is planned.

Keeping up with the maintenance and improving the tidiness of all rural townships is also a focus for Council this year.

Working with our communityTe mahi tahi ki to tātau hāpori

Driving economic development Developing the region’s economy and supporting business will be the role of the proposed Economic Development Agency (EDA). The EDA would be jointly funded by the Eastland Community Trust (ECT) and Council for the next three years.

The proposed EDA will drive economic development for the region, look for opportunities and enhance regional promotion, business development and investment. Having one entity to manage these activities will help to ensure effort is coordinated. Council is proposing to increase the current funding allocated to economic development from $100k to $180k to match ECT’s contribution.

• Enhancing coastal areas in

Tolaga

Bay, Tokomaru Bay and Kaia

ua by

working with dune care gro

ups.

• Providing a new rural fire water

tanker for Tolaga Bay.

• Reducing building consent

processing

time and costs by developing an

electronic system.

• Protecting the heritage ch

aracter of

our buildings and promoti

ng quality

design for new buildings through

a Design Guide for Commercial

Development in Urban Areas

.



Township Plan reviewsCan Council improve how we plan and provide service to our rural townships? This year we will be looking for your feedback. Has there been progress for your town? Have the township plans been useful? What could we do better? Council now has ten township development plans for our rural communities - Manutuke, Matawai/Motu, Patutahi, Rangitukia/Tikitiki, Ruatoria, Te Araroa, Te Karaka, Te Puia Springs/Waipiro Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay. Wharekahika’s plan has nearly been completed.

Gigatown GisborneCouncil and the ECT have partnered to help Gisborne become the home of the fastest internet in the Southern hemisphere.

Winning Chorus’s Gigatown contest would give Gisborne residents access to 1 gigabit internet speed at low cost. This has the potential to transform the district to being the best place to live, work, play and invest.

You can help us win. Just register as a Gisborne supporter on Chorus’s gigatown website www.gigatown.co.nz and add #gigatowngis to your messaging on Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, Tumblr and YouTube.

Check out the Gigatown

Gisborne website

www.gigatowngis.co.nz

for more information

and other ways you can

contribute. Get Bizzy for Gizzy!

http://www.gigatown.co.nz

http://www.gigatown.co.nz

http://www.gigatowngis.co.nz


How to get involved?Me pēhea koe e whai wāhi ki ngā kaupapa nei?

We want your help to improve the district, so make sure you have your say. Please see the submission form (centre page) for all the different ways you can submit your views. To view full copies of the draft Annual Plan 2014/15 go to the Council website or visit our customer service desks at 15 Fitzherbert Street, Gisborne or the Te Puia Springs Service Centre. For regular updates check out our Facebook page.

LOCATION DATE

TIME VENUE

City Tuesday 18 March 5.30pm HB Williams Memorial Library

Whangara Friday 21 March 5pm Whangara Marae

Tolaga Bay Friday 21 March 7pm Tolaga Bay Fire Station

Waipiro Bay Monday 24 March 5.30pm Iritekura Marae

Tokomaru Bay Monday 24 March 7pm The Haven, Senior Citizens Hall

Wainui Thursday 27 March 6pm Wainui School

Matawai Friday 28 March 6pm Matawai Fire Brigade Rooms

Kaiti Saturday 29 March 9am-12 Kaiti Mall

Hicks Bay Monday 31 March 5.30pm Hinemaurea ki Wharekahika Marae

Te Araroa Monday 31 March 7.30pm East Cape Hunting and Fishing Club

Whatatutu Wednesday 2 April 5.30pm Whatatutu School

Te Karaka Wednesday 2 April 7.30pm Te Karaka Scout Hall

Manutuke Thursday 3 April 5.30pm Manutuke School

Patutahi Thursday 3 April 7pm Patutahi Hall

Elgin Saturday 5 April 9am-12 Elgin Shops

Waimata Monday 7 April 6pm Waimata Community Hall

Tikitiki Tuesday 8 April 5.30pm Waiapu RSA

Ruatoria Tuesday 8 April 7pm Uepohatu Marae

Tiniroto Wednesday 9 April 5.30pm Tiniroto Community Hall

Waerenga-o-Kuri Wednesday 9 April 7.30pm Waerenga-o-Kuri Hall

Muriwai Thursday 10 April 5.30pm Muriwai Marae

Makauri Thursday 10 April 7pm Makauri School Library

Farmers Market Saturday 12 April 9.30am Army Hall Car Park

Find a community update meeting near you.

Come along to hear from Mayor Meng Foon, councillors and staff.


LOCATION DATE

TIME VENUE

City Tuesday 18 March 5.30pm HB Williams Memorial Library

Whangara Friday 21 March 5pm Whangara Marae

Tolaga Bay Friday 21 March 7pm Tolaga Bay Fire Station

Waipiro Bay Monday 24 March 5.30pm Iritekura Marae

Tokomaru Bay Monday 24 March 7pm The Haven, Senior Citizens Hall

Wainui Thursday 27 March 6pm Wainui School

Matawai Friday 28 March 6pm Matawai Fire Brigade Rooms

Kaiti Saturday 29 March 9am-12 Kaiti Mall

Hicks Bay Monday 31 March 5.30pm Hinemaurea ki Wharekahika Marae

Te Araroa Monday 31 March 7.30pm East Cape Hunting and Fishing Club

Whatatutu Wednesday 2 April 5.30pm Whatatutu School

Te Karaka Wednesday 2 April 7.30pm Te Karaka Scout Hall

Manutuke Thursday 3 April 5.30pm Manutuke School

Patutahi Thursday 3 April 7pm Patutahi Hall

Elgin Saturday 5 April 9am-12 Elgin Shops

Waimata Monday 7 April 6pm Waimata Community Hall

Tikitiki Tuesday 8 April 5.30pm Waiapu RSA

Ruatoria Tuesday 8 April 7pm Uepohatu Marae

Tiniroto Wednesday 9 April 5.30pm Tiniroto Community Hall

Waerenga-o-Kuri Wednesday 9 April 7.30pm Waerenga-o-Kuri Hall

Muriwai Thursday 10 April 5.30pm Muriwai Marae

Makauri Thursday 10 April 7pm Makauri School Library

Farmers Market Saturday 12 April 9.30am Army Hall Car Park

Reducing harm from alcohol and drugsCouncil is looking at ways it can reduce the effects of harm from alcohol and drug use in our community. We want to hear your thoughts on the draft Local Alcohol Policy. It focuses on limiting the number of off-licence liquor outlets and their hours of operation. It will be ready for your feedback in April. Later this year we will be looking for your views on a policy to regulate the sale of psychoactive drugs (legal highs) in our community.

Where is the district heading?Looking at the big issues that affect the Gisborne district and how Council should respond to them will be the focus of Council’s review of its long term plan. Council will be encouraging residents and community leaders to get involved over the next year. A series of newsletters, community forum and community and business leader breakfasts are proposed for mid-year.

Protecting our unique coastal places?How can we protect the aspects of the coast that matter most to you and how can we better manage these important recreation spaces?

Council will review its Urban Development Strategy this year and the first priority is our urban coastal areas. A Coastal Reserve Management Plan that will guide the use, development and management of coastal reserve land throughout the district will also be drafted.

Freedom camping?Council is drafting a new Freedom Camping Bylaw to manage freedom camping in the district. Thanks for all the feedback you gave us during consultation last year. You will have a chance to comment on the draft bylaw mid 2014.

What do you think about...Pēhea ōu whakaaro mo...

Fitzherbert Street, GisbornePO Box 747, Gisborne

PHONE: 06 867 2049EMAIL: [email protected]

www.gdc.govt.nzwww.facebook.com/GisborneDC

GDC 2014/15 Annual Plan Summary

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Transcript of GDC 2014/15 Annual Plan Summary