​Work begins on Ōpōtiki’s Long Term Plan

Work has begun on Ōpōtiki District Council’s long-term planning document and there are already ways for the community to get involved to help shape this important document.

A council’s Long Term Plan lists Council’s activities for the next 10 years and covers everything they plan to do and how it will be paid for. While it sets the budget for the next decade, it is reviewed and adjusted every three years. Ōpōtiki District Council’s next one will come out next year.

Council’s Group Manager Community Services and Development, Anna Hayward, said that the documents were important to get right.

“Everything the council does flows from the LTP. In the wider sense, it sets the tone and the priorities for the coming years. But in a practical sense, it sets our budgets and task list of what we need to achieve.

“This is a community document – it outlines what the community thinks the council should be focussed on, the role council should play in growth and development, where it should invest, facilities or activities.

“So even if you just have five minutes to add your views to the mix, they really can help set the direction for the future,” Ms Hayward said.

The council meeting paper on Tuesday this week outlined the process and the documents that will sit behind the LTP and the consultation timeframes.

There is an opportunity to meet with councillors and staff kanohi-ki-te-kanohi this Friday afternoon, 4.00 – 6.00pm and Saturday morning 10.00am to 1.00pm at Te Tāhuhu o te Rangi, and there will be more opportunities to talk with councillors and staff as the year progresses.

“We want to hear from the community – what does wellbeing mean to you? What are your community priorities? What is important to you and your whānau and what role does council play in that? We’d love people to pop in for korero and kai,” Ms Hayward said.