The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is seeking feedback on its draft Annual Plan for 2023/24.
The average rates rise for the coming year is 10.8%, however rural properties face increases of up to 13%.
The consultation period runs for two weeks – a shorter timeframe than usual following changes made to the legislation for Councils affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Council Acting Chief Executive Josh Lloyd said the recovery from the cyclone fundamentally changed its approach to the Annual Plan this year.
He said the average increase proposed is lower than it could have been due to the use of tools such as debt funding, reserve funding, and the slowing of capital projects.
Feedback can be given via an online survey available on the Council website, or by filling in and returning a consultation form from Council offices and libraries.
The survey will be open for two weeks until Friday June 2nd.
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Tukituki MP Anna Lorck will hold public meetings in Central Hawke’s Bay today and tomorrow talking about last week’s Budget.
The MP says the meetings are walk-in and are an opportunity to hear about what’s important to locals.
Today’s meeting is at the OngaOnga Hall from 5.30pm, followed by the Otane Town Hall tomorrow from 5.30pm.
Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty says he is also planning on meeting constituents in a follow-up to the Budget.
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Former Hastings District Council Chief Executive Ross McLeod has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Regional Recovery Agency.
The Agency was setup in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Blair O’Keeffe, who is the Independent Chair of the Recovery Agency’s Oversight Board, said Mr McLeod comes to the role with a huge amount of local government experience.
He said McLeod has experience working with the many key stakeholders from right across the region who will be critical to the delivery of a locally led recovery.
Mr McLeod takes over from interim manager, Keriana Brooking, and starts next Monday (the 29th).
