Council confirms Long-term Plan options for community feedback
On Thursday the Councillors and I confirmed our budget proposals for Wellington’s Long Term Plan.
They include some major new initiatives that we will now be taking to the community for consultation:
Three-waters (waste, drinking and storm water) -investment options with a recommendation to provide a record $1.8 billion in investment.
Waste collection services -including options to introduce wheelie bins and organics collection, to reduce the waste we send to the tip.
Establishing a Perpetual Investment Fund -selling the Council’s shares in Wellington Airport and creating a new Perpetual Investment Fund that will deliver dividends for future generations.
There is no question that the tough economic environment has made this a difficult budget to put together. Like other councils around the country, we are facing the external pressures of inflation, rising interest rates, rampant insurance costs and ageing water infrastructure.
The proposals we are putting before the community deliver the investment needed to keep Wellington on track to becoming a thriving, resilient city, while balancing the economic constraint we’re up against.?
领英推荐
I have made it clear that water is a priority for the Council in this budget.?Therefore we have significantly increased our funding in water. Over the 10 years (in this proposal) one in every four dollars we spend on capital will go to water. ?
This not only funds Wellington Water to fix and replace our drinking water infrastructure, but also includes the roll-out of water meters.?
This is a record investment in water and ratepayers are right to expect a reduction in leaks for their money.??I will be working with other councils to get the changes to ensure Wellington Water can deliver efficiently.?
But I want to be crystal clear that funding water should not be coming at the expense of delivering better public transport, revitalisation of our city, housing and climate initiatives.??
These are the key priorities, and history has taught us that if we don’t invest in these issues now, they will become a bigger problem down the track – much like water has for us today.?
Consultation on this plan runs from 12 April to 12 May.?It is a key opportunity for you to have your say on the city’s future.?Watch out for it.
Managing Director, AGRE (Agency) Limited
8 个月Funding water is critical. The rest falls into poor second place. As for addressing climate change, its equivalent to chasing the wind.
Thrilled to see Wellington's progress! ?? Plato remarked on the need for thoughtful city planning - looks like you're embodying this wisdom. Looking forward to seeing the community's input! ???
-
9 个月Has anyone considered the radical notion that addressing the "infrastructure challenges" should be at the top of your list of "key priorities"? And all these water meters that are going to be installed - how many of the inordinately large number of leaks will be stopped by them?
--
9 个月Do you live in that place tory
What a great day. Thank you Tory for providing strong leadership. I look forward to the public consultation.