Draft Long Term Plan 2021 - 2031

The consultation for the Draft Long Term Plan has now finished. The Council will now consider all feedback as well as holding public hearings and deliberations in May. The Long Term Plan will be adopted by Council in June.

• Ensuring our Infrastructure and Community Facilities Cater For Our Growing Community

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  Through our Infrastructure Strategy and other long term planning the Council is anticipating the future needs of our community. Our Long Term Plan outlines how we expect to meet the needs of a growing community.

  The Waimakariri District has a current population of 64,700. More than 80 percent of the population is concentrated in the eastern part of the District with its largest towns being Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Woodend/Pegasus. Oxford is the largest town in the western part of the District.

  We forecast the District’s population to be about 78,000 by the end of the 2021-2031 LTP period and approaching 95,000 - 100,000 people by 2050.

  Our infrastructure and community facilities are of a very good standard. However, with our population expected to grow by 50 percent over the next thirty years we will need to plan, invest and build in advance.

  For this LTP, in addition to the ongoing upgrades to our core infrastructure of transport and Three Water networks to cater for growth, there are three new initiatives that we would be interested in your views on.

• Providing Community Facilities at Pegasus and Woodend (Ravenswood)

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  The growing communities of Pegasus and nearby Ravenswood subdivision of Woodend will see the Woodend- Pegasus community double in population to about 12,000 in 30 years’ time.

  The Council currently rents space at Pegasus for community activities but it is too small to cater for the north-east part of the District. The Council has undertaken a review of the needs in the area and concluded additional and permanent facilities are required.

  We propose building a new community centre in each of these areas with land purchase for both facilities proposed to begin in 2021.

  The development of the Pegasus facility is planned for the following year and the north Woodend (Ravenswood) facility within the next ten years.

  The proposed investment is:

  • For Pegasus this includes allocating a total of $4.7 million for land, which will be purchased in 2021/22, and building a community centre of about 400m2 in the 2023 – 25 period
  • For north Woodend (Ravenswood) this includes allocating up to $4.3 million for land in 2021/22 - sufficient land will be acquired should facilities like an aquatic centre be needed in the future. The construction of a community facility of about 800m2 would take place in 2029/30 with a provision made for $6 million.

  OPTIONS:

  A: Council’s preference

  The proposal to budget for and develop new facilities at Pegasus and north Woodend in the timeframes signalled.

  Project Completed	Total Spend/Loan Required $	Rate Per Property Per Year
  Pegasus Community Centre - 2024/2025	4.7m	$15.99 (from 2025/2026)*
  Ravenswood Community Centre - 2029/2030	10.3m	$32.09 (from 2030/2031)*

  
  B: Advance construction of the north Woodend facility so that it is built by 2025/26.

  This would result in an increase in debt levels earlier than currently signalled and increase rates by about $32 more per property than currently signalled. The Council does not recommend this at this time.

  Project Completed	Total Spend/Loan Required $	Rate Per Property Per Year
  Pegasus Community Centre - 2024/2025	4.7m	$15.99 (from 2025/2026)*
  Ravenswood Community Centre - 2025/2026	9.6m	$32.22 (from 2026/2027)*

  C: Build one combined facility at either Pegasus or north Woodend.

  While this would see a larger facility built, based on a survey of community needs it is felt that the distance between Pegasus and Woodend would lessen its use. Accordingly this is not the preferred approach.

  Project Completed	Total Spend/Loan Required $	Rate Per Property Per Year
  Combined Community Centre - 2024/2025	12.4m	$43.98 (from 2025/2026)*

  
  *Cost - The rate includes construction/operation costs and debt servicing.

  Click here to make a formal submission for the Draft Long Term Plan 2021-2031.

• Expand and Upgrade the Trevor Inch Memorial Library and Rangiora Civic Building

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  With our population projected to be between 95,000 and 100,000 by 2050 we need to think about the capacity of the Trevor Inch Memorial Library in Rangiora and Council’s accommodation needs to serve a growing community.

  There is a unique opportunity in Rangiora specifically for the land we call the ‘Civic Precinct’ - the Rangiora town centre area between High St and Victoria Park which includes the Rangiora Service Centre, car park and the Trevor Inch Memorial Library.

  During the last LTP the community supported a planned expansion of the Trevor Inch Memorial Library and recognised the need to ensure the accommodation requirements for the Council were fit for purpose now and into the future. Currently, Council staff are accommodated across six buildings in Rangiora.

  The planned library expansion was scheduled to take place between 2022 and 2024 to meet the needs of our current population and we have $7.2 million aside in our last LTP accordingly. However, we also have the nearby Rangiora Service Centre that requires updating and have started considering how we might merge these projects to achieve the most cost-efficient solution.

  Investigations into how best to accommodate these needs have led to considering the appropriate planning for and timing of implementing these projects in an integrated way, as key elements of the Civic Precinct part of the recently approved Rangiora Town Centre Strategy.

  There is a synergy and an opportunity to combine the library extension with an expanded Council service centre while creating more welcoming green areas and open spaces, building facilities for community groups and private businesses, and improving parking while making more efficient use of the budget (turning this into one project vs multiple projects).

  This would best utilise space across the entire Civic Precinct area and pull several different projects into one work-stream. Due to Covid-19, through the 20/21 Annual Plan we have scaled back needed upgrades to the existing service centre to the minimum to make it serviceable for the next few years.

  Through deliberations on the draft LTP we have carefully considered the scope and timing of the larger scale, longer term Civic Precinct project against other more immediate economic recovery priorities, uncertainty due to possible local government reform (which may change our required staff numbers) as well as overall affordability. The results of the reform activity may influence the size and scale of building required by the Council which supports the rationale for a delay.

  For this draft LTP we have retained the $7.2m set aside for the Library extension but pushed the overall project out in our programme to 2027-2029 to be coordinated with a provision of $22m for an extension and upgrade for the Rangiora Service Centre. The shift of the library project to later years means the project costs will increase to $8.3m due to inflation.

  This will enable the Council to focus on our role in Covid-19 related economic recovery and better achieve economies of scale in the larger project in the long term.

  We expect to revisit this in the lead up to the 2024-34 LTP in three years’ time and make the best of what we’ve got meantime.

  OPTIONS:

  A: Council’s preference

  The proposal to financially reflect the Civic Precinct Project in the LTP is supported. But the timing is deferred to 2028 with this being revisited through the 2024-34 LTP process.

  This is currently budgeted for so would have no additional costs per property per year. The rate increase would take effect from 2029/2030.

  Project Completed	Total Spend/Loan Required $	Rate Per Property Per Year
  Rangiora Civic Precinct - 2029/2030	22m	$72.25 (from 2030/2031)*
  Trevor Inch Memorial Library - 2028/2029	8.3m	$29.51 (from 2029/2030)*

  
  B: Bring forward funding provisions and timing. Projects would be completed by 2025/26.

  This would see financial provision brought forward with consequential increases in debt and rating to pay off loans sooner. There are a range of possibilities here, but for the reasons set out above the Council does not recommend this at this time.

  Project Completed	Total Spend/Loan Required $	Rate Per Property Per Year
  Rangiora Civic Precinct - 2025/2026	19.8m	$69.07 (from 2026/2027)*
  Trevor Inch Memorial Library - 2024/2025	7.4m	$28.29 (from 2025/2026)*

  
  

  C: The proposal overall is declined

  We do not meet the community needs for library services and Council operational requirements as part of the Civic Precinct in line with our growing population. The library extension would defer to as planned in the previous LTP. Other alternate options for provision of community and Council service delivery will need to be investigated at costs yet to be determined.

  There are no additional costs per property as the proposal would be declined.

  * Cost - The rate includes construction/operation costs and debt servicing.

  Click here to make a formal submission for the Draft Long Term Plan 2021-2031.

• Build a Car Park Building to Service Rangiora Town Centre by 2028-2030

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  There has been increased pressure on parking in the Rangiora town centre as our population grows and more people work in the District.

  Transport studies undertaken as part of our Rangiora Town Centre Plan identified that, should parking behaviour remain constant, and projected growth continue, Rangiora’s town centre would require up to an additional 800 car parking spaces within the next 30 years.

  To date we have secured land in Blake Street, have a lease on land in Durham Street, and are working to make sure residents utilise all the current parks we have. However, this will not meet our needs in the long term. The Council’s previous LTP included a provision of $6.3 million for the purchase of additional land and facilities for additional car parking, but this is considered insufficient to meet the forecast demand.

  Because of this the Council proposes to retain the $6.3 million already allocated to secure more land for car parking over the next five years, but add a further $11.3 million in 2028-2030 to enable a car park building to be built that would provide for between 180 and 280 additional car parks.

  We see 25 percent of the car park building project cost being defined as growth related (therefore funded by development contributions). The remaining 75 percent of costs ($8.5m - level of service improvements) would need to be funded by rates.

  It is possible that by 2040 a second car park building may be required, but this is outside the current 10 year LTP timeframe.

  OPTIONS

  A: Council’s preference

  Retain the $6.3 million already allocated to secure more land for car parking over the next five years, but add a further 11.3 million (75 percent or $8.5m will be rate funded, the remaining 25 percent will be funded by development contributions) in 2028-2030 to enable a car park building to be built. The timing of construction will be reviewed during the next LTP to check in and see if that’s still appropriate.

  Project Completed	Total Spend/Loan Required $	Rate Per Property Per Year
  Rangiora Car Park Building - 2030/2031	8.5m (level of service only)	$26.85 (from 2031/2032)*

  
  B: Advance the construction of the car park building and finish the project by 2025/26.

  This would likely provide more car parks than Rangiora currently needs right now and would require financial provision brought forward with consequential increases in debt and rates to pay off loans sooner. There are a range of possibilities here, but for the reasons set out above the Council does not recommend this at this time.

  Project Completed	Total Spend/Loan Required $	Rate Per Property Per Year
  Rangiora Car Park Building - 2025/2026	7.4m (level of service only)	$25.33 )from 2026/2027)*

  
  C: Defer consideration of a car park building. Instead utilise technology to show available off-street parking and increase enforcement to defer the need for additional car parks.

  Providing sufficient parking is important for businesses and town centre visitors. Using technology will be considered in conjunction with providing more car parks. This would see the provision for a car park building pushed out beyond the 10 year timeframe.

  This is not the preferred option as the Council thinks it is best to signal the anticipated need for this facility as part of this LTP.

  There are no additional costs per property involved with this option.

  * Cost - The rate includes construction and debt servicing.

  Click here to make a formal submission for the Draft Long Term Plan 2021-2031.

• Covid-19 Economic Recovery

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  This LTP is being prepared in a world still reeling from the impacts of Covid-19 – including global border closures, economic recession, a challenging job environment, and overall uncertainty.

  We appreciate this is a difficult time for many people who live here. Fortunately, so far it appears the Waimakariri District is finding itself not as negatively affected by the economic effects of Covid-19 as early estimates suggested and is faring a lot better than many other districts. Our growth momentum is continuing and we are seeing new residential building consents (a good gauge of economic activity) remaining steady.

  This is partly due to our proximity to a major population centre in Christchurch, a strong primary industry sector, as well as not being as reliant on tourism as other areas in New Zealand.

  However, we are under no illusion that as a community we are out of the woods and the effects of the pandemic could persist through 2021 and beyond.

  In June last year we engaged with the community on a draft recovery plan called ‘Waimakariri: Better than Before’ which identified six main programmes of focus:

  1. Playing a role in leadership, advocacy and providing support for businesses which are facing a downturn
  2. Preparing strategies to further improve our town centres and business areas while accelerating the ‘green economy’ (sustainable economic activity)
  3. Supporting investment from the development and building sector
  4. Bringing forward planned capital projects that could stimulate the economy and provide jobs
  5. Ensuring the wellbeing of all residents through an increased programme of community development and support
  6. Maximising business survival and enabling new business development in conjunction with Enterprise North Canterbury.

  We have since refined this programme and our direction with the aid of an Economic Recovery Advisory Group made up of local business people. Now we are looking to refocus our attention on tasks which will help the Waimakariri community best recover.

  The refined areas of focus include:

  • Keeping rates as low as possible
  • Business support and economic development - supporting current and attracting new businesses as well as marketing Waimakariri to domestic visitors by leveraging our attractive and affordable lifestyle and great environment
  • Increasing psycho-social monitoring and support for residents most affected by the pandemic
  • Accelerating Council’s capital works programme to play a bigger role in the coming years of recovery, taking advantage of the Government’s ‘shovel ready’ and ‘stimulus’ funding
  • Continuing to advocate for and seek central government support and funding assistance.

  To support and stimulate the local economy, we have:

  • Secured $9 million of government shovel-ready funding, and when matched with Council funding, we are investing $18 million in climate resilience works in Kaiapoi
  • Received $8 million of government stimulus funding, supported by $2.3 million Council funding, to upgrade water supplies and sewer systems in the District
  • Budgeted to provide, if required, up to $1 million for economic recovery initiatives.

• Responding to Climate Change & Sustainability

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  Climate change is causing the earth to warm, sea levels to rise and weather patterns to become disturbed. A 2019 Waimakariri community survey showed over 70 percent of our community are either concerned or very concerned about climate change.

  In Waimakariri, apart from coastal inundation, the effects of climate change will mean over time we experience more extreme weather more frequently. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere – mitigation – and dealing with rising sea levels – adaptation – will become increasingly important matters before the Council during the 2020s.

  Longer hot and dry summers, milder winters with less snowfall, less annual rainfall, higher winds, and a gradual warming between 0.7 degrees and 3 degrees by 2090 causing sea level rise will become the norm.

  These changes will put core infrastructure at risk, change how we plan for development, require a rethink about where and how we build, what goods we consume and overall, how we act and contribute to the issue.

  As an organisation the Council wants to and will likely be directed more by the Government to work with the community in becoming more sustainable, improving our environment, and in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

  Late last year we sought community comment on a draft Climate Change Policy which committed the Council to consider climate change in all decision-making and work programmes, and regularly measure corporate emissions. It has been finalised as our ‘statement of intent’ in this area.

  The Council has committed to prepare an Organisational Sustainability Strategy and Climate Change Response Strategy and work is underway on this. At the start of the Council term a new Council portfolio was established – Climate Change and Sustainability – to signal the importance of this issue.

  This Strategy will become the guiding document for how Waimakariri tackles climate change and shape how we work together to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to minimise future harm, and adapt to the ongoing effects of climate change.

  It will also look at how we both mitigate effects and adapt – specifically around core assets like water supply, storm and wastewater services, flood protection; and wider community issues such as biodiversity loss¸ tackling longer term managed retreat as well as addressing the social and economic impacts of climate change - which may hit coastal communities and our primary sector the hardest.

  As our national economy and businesses shift towards a low-emissions future by 2050 the focus of the Council needs to support this and more Government direction in this area is anticipated. The cost of acting; investing in a sustainable future for the Council as an organisation and the community overall, is over the long term demonstrably less than the cost of taking no action.

  For the LTP this will affect the decisions we make and where we focus our attention. For example, this could include making business decisions that lower Council’s emissions, as well as advancing projects that enable climate-friendly behaviour such as additional Park & Ride facilities, or providing more bike racks around town centres and Council facilities so as to encourage alternatives to single-occupant car trips.

  We have developed a programme of work called Arohatia te awa (Cherish the river) where we have allocated over $1 million in this LTP to enhance the habitat of our waterways and provide connections along our waterways for the community to access and care for our lowland streams and rivers.

  We also have a role to play in working with businesses to encourage climate-friendly infrastructure (such as partnering with Meridian Energy to install charging stations) in our town centres as well as helping our communities act more sustainably. The issue of climate change is a global one in nature but one that will be addressed through small changes to our individual daily routines through the decisions we make. The Council wants to play our part.

• Government-led Water Infrastructure Review

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  Effective water infrastructure is a necessity for a healthy community – it provides clean water to your taps, removes wastewater from homes and businesses, and protects our assets from floods by managing storm water.

  It is the often-unseen infrastructure that plays a vital role in the overall health of our community and wellbeing of our environment.

  In July 2020, the Government announced a funding package of $761 million to provide Covid-19 stimulus to councils nationwide to maintain and improve Three Waters infrastructure, on the proviso they support further consideration of local government water services delivery arrangements.

  The Government funding package is part of a series of actions in response to many councils across NZ struggling to meet the water regulatory framework that was put in place after the Government inquiry into the 2016 campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North that was caused by contamination of the town’s drinking water supply.

  Waimakariri District Council, along with all councils nationwide, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government in August 2020, committing it to the first stage of the water reform programme to access an $8m share of the stimulus package.

  While the Waimakariri District Three Waters infrastructure is in very good condition, this funding has allowed the Council to further improve fresh and wastewater infrastructure across the District with a lower impact on ratepayers than previously possible.

  The MoU with central Government states the Waimakariri District Council is:

  1. Willing to explore different ways of delivering water services - drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater
  2. Willing to share information on our network and services with neighbouring councils and central Government and that we are open to discussions about how we might be able to work together in the future.

  The second stage of the Government water reforms proposes councils consider joining together to set up a small number of large entities to deliver water services on a regional or multi-regional scale.

  It is important to note that signing the stage one MoU does not commit Waimakariri District Council to anything beyond stage one or to change the way it delivers Three Waters services, and there is an ‘opt out’ clause available.

  The earliest a decision on this is likely to be made is mid-to-late 2021 and the timeline will be driven by central Government. Before any decision regarding the second stage is made by Waimakariri District Council we will be seeking to understand how the new entity would be funded, what compensation for Council’s Three Waters assets would look like, the impact this would have financially on rate payers, and how the wider community’s voice and the voice of Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga have been taken into account.

  Council expects to engage on the opt out decision in late 2021, and that any decision to participate is likely to be given effect to at some point in the 2023/4 financial year. Regardless of who supplies Three Waters services they will always be needed by the community. Fuller implications of the reform proposal are shown in the assumptions and disclosures section of the full Draft LTP.