Media Release – For Immediate Release 17 May 2021
THE submission period opened on Friday for the Kawerau District Council Long Term Plan 2021-2031.
Last week the Council met with Tangata Whenua and Iwi and a number of stakeholder groups in the lead-up to the submission period of 14 May to 14 June 2021.
Kawerau District Council Chief Executive Russell George says the consultation meetings have been scheduled as part of the Council’s commitment to engage with the community on the 10-year plan and start the engagement process.
“The Long Term Plan outlines our three consultation topics and seeks feedback from stakeholders and residents. The consultation meetings have been a positive way to start a conversation and we will continue to talk with our stakeholders and residents in the coming weeks.”
The three consultation topics are:
- Drinking water pipe replacement programme – accelerating the project by loaning money and completing it over the next six years.
- Using proceeds from residential developments to keep the rates increases to 5.1% in year one 2021/2
- Growing Our District – taking into consideration the concerns from the 2019 consultation process and working on the concept of 60% residential and 40% enhanced recreational space – would the community support a residential development at Stoneham Park (the old Soccer Club grounds).
Last week Council met with Tangata Whenua and Iwi Kaumātua and representatives of Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau, Ngāti Tuwharetoa Group Holdings Limited, Rautahi Marae and Tohia o te Rangi. Stakeholders meetings were also held with Kawerau Putauaki School, Te Manaaki Preschool and Kowhai Park Body Corporation members.
On Thursday night, Council met with some 50 neighbours of Stoneham Park Reserve (the old Soccer Club grounds) to discuss the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 and in particular, the third consultation topic of whether the public supported a residential development at Stoneham Park. An invitation was delivered to some 300 residents living nearby Stoneham Park (the old Soccer Club grounds).
A public hui is planned this week on Friday at 5.30pm in the Council Concert Chambers.
Further meetings with Iwi, stakeholders and industrial and commercial ratepayers are being scheduled during the consultation period.
More information and the full consultation document are available on the Council website and the Council Offices.
A copy of the consultation document will be delivered to all residents in the Kawerau District in the coming days.
[ENDS]
For more information, please contact:
Tania Humberstone, Kawerau District Council Communications Manager 027 464 3785
