Enhanced Annual Plan 2024-25

Consultation is now open for the 2024-25 Enhanced Annual Plan until 5 May

Every three years, Council develops a Long-Term Plan (LTP) that outlines the services we provide, how we maintain our district’s infrastructure, our budgets and new projects that will make our district an even better place to live. Our current LTP is for the 2021-31 period, and we were due to sign off the next LTP for 2024-34 in June this year.

However, with a new Government at the helm, there remain considerable unknowns for the future of water reform, with fresh legislation outlining a process for Councils to establish new ways of working over the next 12-18 months. We are faced with other uncertainties; Council is in the process of completing the Featherston Masterplan, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) will confirm the next three years of roading funding in June, and there is significant work to be done to future proof our Asset Management Plans for the coming decades.

With this uncertainty on our mind, in February this year, Council opted to defer the adoption of the 2024-34 LTP and instead produce an Enhanced Annual Plan (Enhanced AP) for 2024-25. The option of deferring the LTP for a year, gives time for any substantial changes to take place and help clarify the future direction of water reform. A reduced nine-year LTP will be produced for 2025-34. Importantly, it will allow us to consult and engage South Wairarapa communities with more certainty about the outcomes and budgets we will be proposing for the 2025-34 LTP.

What is an Annual Plan?

An Annual Plan is the Council’s budget for one financial year and is produced in the years between Long-Term Plans. It explains how the Council intends to finance the activities and services it provides during that year as directed by its Long-Term Plan. If anything significant changes within those years, Council will consult on those matters. This year, we will asking our communities the following decisions;
to have their say on the proposals which are outlined across 3 decisions:

How much should we spend on operating and maintaining our water services?
How should we charge for water use?
How should we pay for the replacement of our assets?

Key dates:

March 27: Consultation document to be adopted by Council
April 5 – May 5: Public consultation
April 6 – Greytown community workshop
April 13 – Martinborough community workshop
April 20 – Featherston community workshop
16 & 17 May: Hearings
22 May: Deliberations – this is where the final rates increase will be determined
26 June: Enhanced AP to be adopted by Council

Engagement opportunities

Community workshops – join elected members and Council officers to understand the three decisions we’re asking our communities along with a Q&A session for other questions related to the consultation.

We ask you arrive by 10.30am so we can make the most of the time.

Greytown Town Hall – Saturday 6 April, 10.30am – 12pm
Martinborough Waihinga Centre – Saturday 13 April, 10.30am – 12pm
Featherston Community Centre – Saturday 20 April, 10.30am – 12pm

AP to you – if your community organisation has a meeting or get together within the consultation period between 5 April and 5 May (or would like to organise one) – we’d love to come and talk to you. An elected member along with a council officer will attend your meeting, and talk through the proposals and take any questions you have. We would need approximately 30 minutes for this, and longer depending on how many questions you have.

Expressions of interest – if you have any questions, or would like to confirm your interest in a date and time for us to talk with your organisation, please get in touch with us before 5 April by emailing ap@swdc.govt.nz along with the following information:

Your name
Your contact details
Your organisation
Preferred date and time of your meeting (please provide two if possible)
Location of meeting