Developing Our Long-term Plan in Changing Times

Thank you to everyone who recently attended our public open days at Mt Lees Homestead and the Tote Building. We appreciate the opportunity to share a look inside these buildings. As Council continues planning for the district’s future through the 10 year Long-term Plan (LTP), we will keep the community informed about the next steps for these facilities.

Here at Council, work is well underway in shaping our next LTP. With it we are navigating a period of major unfunded local government reform which has been at short notice and is therefore unbudgeted to date and fiscally challenging.

We also face a changing landscape with the disestablishment of Regional Councils, replacement RMA legislation and the potential for amalgamations with neighboring councils. Although the final outcomes remain up in the air, Council must still deliver a solid roadmap for projects and services over the next decade.

A major shift in this LTP is that Three Waters infrastructure will now stand alone under the governance of the new Manawatū Water Services Committee. With water assets separated mid next year, roading instantly becomes the council’s largest operational and capital activity. With 1,377kms of roading and 139 bridges across the district, this will require significant ongoing investment, especially as we plan for greater resilience and the replacement of aging assets.

Looking ahead we will have to make some tough, realistic choices about what we can afford in the new 4% rates capping environment. Would you accept less frequent rubbish collection, decreased parks maintenance, lower roading standards, reduced hours at the Makino Aquatic Centre, or less funding for community events?

None of these decisions will be made lightly and we will need you to guide us on what is necessary and how we get value for money. Work is still underway on the LTP for now, then we will be out talking to you in the community starting in March of 2027.