Great Living for a Sustainable Future

This morning, Hastings District Council adopted its Draft 2009-2019 Ten Year Plan.

Council wants residents of Hastings to tell it what they want the future of Hastings to look like.

The district is facing some massive challenges, including climate change, financial pressures and social issues. The Draft Ten Year Plan is the first step in how to address those issues but Council doesn’t have all the answers. Ratepayer opinion is a vital part of the democratic process.

The plan will be released to the public on Saturday, March 28, and a summary of the plan will be distributed to residents in the following week.

A two-day Expo will be held at the Hastings Sports Centre on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4 to showcase a number of the key issues contained in the plan.

The last expo, in 2006, attracted 1,086 visitors and the Council hopes more residents will take up the opportunity to visit the informative and interactive displays.

Mayor Lawrence Yule says the Ten Year Plan is the Council’s ‘blueprint’ for setting out the proposed future for our district over the next ten years and beyond.

“A modest rate increase of 1.68% is proposed for the 2009/10 year, which balances the need to continue to invest in the district with the reality of current economic conditions impacting on our community,” Mr Yule says.

“A clear priority signalled by the community during pre-consultation on the plan was the need to manage our productive plains resources and urban development appropriately.”

“The plan contains resources to complete the Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy and review of the District Plan”.

“Other areas such as an acceleration of footpath renewals and proposed improvements to customer service are outlined in the plan along with sufficient investment in all our core asset areas”, he says.

Proposed changes to the operation and funding of Council’s refuse activities is another key item outlined in the plan.

Council wants to hear from residents about what they think of the plan. The submission period opens on Saturday, March 28 and closes on Thursday, May 7.

Copies of the full Draft Ten Year Plan will be available when the submission period opens at district libraries, www.hastingdc.govt.nz, at Expo 2009 or by calling Strategy Manager, Lex Verhoeven on 871 5044.