I hope 2024 is treating you well so far, and you’ve had the opportunity to get out and explore everything we have to offer in our District.

From a council perspective it’s set to be a busy 2024 as we continue our work on the council’s Long Term Plan, the major piece of work that guides all our spending and priorities for the next 10 years.

Every three years, just about in the middle of each council term, we look at the current plan in the current social and economic environment and the needs of the community and revise it to fit.

This LTP is quite different to the last couple of ones I’ve been involved with, as the country is in a very different economic situation, which no part of government is immune.

Striking the balance between provision and maintenance of basic infrastructure and levels of service in the face of escalating costs, ensuring responsible debt at the same time as keeping rates affordable, and providing the services that make this district a great place to live has never been more challenging.

There are a few tough calls to be made in the next few months as we work to live within our means.

We don’t want to make these decisions in isolation, we really want as many of our community to be part of our decision-making process, so please take time to give your feedback on our draft plans when they come out in the next few months.

Nearly every day most of us will use several council services, so it’s vitally important that you play your part in how they are run.

There will be lots of opportunities to have your say, and we always welcome being invited places to discuss this so please drop us a line if there’s an event you’d like us to speak at or a group we could come and talk to.

As a council we’re not looking at doing things the way we always have, a major success we’ve had over the past couple of years was the push back on the centralisation of water services, with a view to creating more locally focused and sustainable ways of providing water services.

As well as the repealing the three waters legislation, the Government has charged local councils to now walk the talk and further develop the alternative model that was created as part of the Communities 4 Local Democracy group that TDC was a founding member of.

In line with most of New Zealand we face some challenges, but our council continues to be in a relatively strong position, and my colleagues around the table collectively have a positive vision of ensuring our district remains a fantastic and vibrant place to live, work and play.

2024 is hopefully a year where our households and businesses get back onto a surer footing after an eventful few years, and we’re working to ensure the council and all the services and facilities it provides for you are in great shape for the future as well.