At today’s South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) meeting, the Council heard from the owner of the ‘Cap Rates for South Wairarapa: Cap 2025/26 Rate Increase at 3%’ petition, and the outcomes the petition seeks.

SWDC Councillors and council officers are currently in the process of producing the 2025-34 Long-Term Plan which will set out the budget and priorities for Council over the next nine years.

Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler Futter says that Councillors are increasingly aware of the impact rates are having on South Wairarapa communities, and that it is not unique to the district. “This has been front of mind during the early stages of planning council activities for the next nine years. We have been looking at what the core services are that SWDC delivers to our communities.”

“We are balancing the needs of renewing ageing infrastructure, maintaining the levels of service that our community enjoys, and continuing to prioritise and find efficiencies in the work we do”, says Cr Sadler-Futter

During the meeting, Councillor Aidan Ellims requested that standing orders be suspended to enable Councillors to acknowledge the petition and the South Wairarapa residents who have signed it.  Councillors requested that the Chief Executive invite the petition owner alongside other members of the community to join them at a workshop to exchange thoughts and ideas on the preparations for the upcoming Long-Term Plan consultation.

The month-long public consultation for the Long-Term Plan will open on 28 February 2025. “We encourage everyone to participate in the consultation and share their feedback. This is an important part of our decision-making process, and we want to hear our communities’ ideas and thoughts so they are reflected in the plans for our district’s future“ Cr Ellims shares.

ENDS

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