The level of public excluded discussions by Waipā councillors about the district’s financial woes became more evident this week.
In approving a draft annual plan on Tuesday, councillors agreed to put the $33 million Te Ara Wai museum, Cambridge Library Hub, Pirongia Cycleway and Cambridge Town Hall projects on hold, increase rates by 14.8 per cent and add $101.7 million to existing debt levels.
Councillors had known about the proposals for weeks and work shopped them behind closed doors, but one councillor queried the approach which gave staff the mandate to consult with affected stakeholders before this week’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee meeting.
Roger Gordon
Roger Gordon said it had been very hard “to keep mum”, particularly in Cambridge where there was an “uprising”.
“Everywhere you go in Cambridge there’s a reaction about ‘what’s happening in our town’,” he said.
Lack of parking, speed bumps, cycleways, road closures and a perceived lack of consultation over the proposed third bridge were all hot topics, he said.
“People only got the information about the bridge when it appeared in the paper.”
Included in the draft plan is capital expenditure of $5.9 million on a Business Accommodation Strategy.
Ken Morris
Asked to explain what that was, deputy chief executive Ken Morris said it was money to be spent on upgrading and opening the former Te Awamutu Museum building – closed in October 2022 because of an earthquake risk – so the public could see the museum’s “amazing taonga”.
Committee chair Liz Stolwyk said it was councillors’ responsibility now to respond to residents’ concerns.
“We’re talking about a pause. Taking a breath and looking at the environment.”
Part of the public consultation was around whether the heritage protected Cambridge Water Tower should be demolished for $771,000 or repaired for $5.6 million.
Liz Stolwyk
They could also comment on the council’s debt level, currently sitting at $296.8 million with a recommendation to increase that to $398.5 million by June 30 next year.
“With what has happened in the inflationary environment, debt has become a very important factor,” said Morris who described it as significant and growing quickly.
Mayor Susan O’Regan said nobody wanted the council to be in the position it was but it was taking a fiscally responsible route “I’m not saying we’re liking it.”
Communication and Engagement manager Lisa Nairne said public consultation now would be “largely story telling” about the council’s financial position and growth and how difficult it had been for councillors to make hard decisions around the table.
Consultation starts on April 5 and finishes on April 26.
Councillors and staff pictured at this week’s meeting in Te Awamutu, chaired by Liz Stolwyk (top centre). Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
