11/10/2005

Neighbours agree to share ideas

A couple of weeks ago councillors from Otorohanga and Waitomo districts met socially to discuss issues of mutual interest and both councils enjoyed the opportunity to share information on a range of topics.
Although the amalgamation proposal was not supported by Otorohanga, the relationship with our neighbours is strong and there are many ways in which we can help each other in the interests of better governance for our respective districts, as we do with Waipa, Waikato, South Waikato and Environment Waikato.
The focus of council in the coming months is to ensure that our budgets are met and that the projected impact on rates is as forecast
This is not an easy task for council and staff as we must contend with a 50 per cent increase in fuels, and significant wage and transport cost increases in the period between council's estimates and actual work implimentation.
As we take construction and roading jobs to tender there is often changes to the scope of the work required to keep within budget, and juggling of timeframes to meet our financial commitments, which can sometimes be frustrating for residents expecting immediate action.
A factor also adding pressure to council's budgets are the ever increasing resource consent hearings being required to be held as new acts, the RMA and increasing interest in environmental issues by submitters take effect on the consent process When council hears and decides a consent hearing application, either party (submitters or applicants) can appeal to the Environment Court and council must then
defend its decision.
The cost of this action to council can be up to $50,000 per appeal and is an unbudgeted expense so must be met by the ratepayer, usually by rescheduling other work.
This is not popular as most residents and ratepayers value council by the services provided not the beauracratic process it engages in.
Council continues to process building consents at an all time high, Westridge residential subdivision has now sold almost half of its 36 sections after only six months on the market.
Several of these sections have also been on sold, and a number of sections have been purchased by investors.
If you had said even two years ago that speculators would be buying property in Otorohanga as a sound investment and with the expectation of turning a profit, would you have been taken seriously?
It°s all a matter of faith, and the council, community boards and staff appreciate the faith you place in us to make the right decisions in the best interests of all residents and ratepayers of this fantastic district of ours.