Make your Waikato even better T Waikato, kia wana - Our proposed investment 2021-2031 - Waikato ...
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Make your Waikato even better
T Waikato, kia wana
ent 2021-2031
Our proposed investm
Consultation document
2021-2031 Long Term Plan | Mahere Whānui
Let’s make a plan
Me whai mahere tātou
We love where we live in the mighty Waikato and we want to make it even better.
So in 2020 we developed our strategy for the next 10 years, setting out our vision and
strategic priorities for the region. It received some encouraging support from iwi,
stakeholders and our communities.
But people told us what they really want to know is In this document we set out how we’re proposing
how we’re going to put that vision into practice. to invest in some important areas that will help us
That’s where our 2021-2031 Long Term Plan comes in. make the mighty Waikato even better. It also offers
options for you to consider.
It’s where what we’re going to do, the money we’re
going to spend to do it and the impact this will have
on rates is all decided. And it’s on this plan you get
to have your say.
On issues that matter
We’re consulting on three different plans in April. Find out more and opt to respond by issue
This document, our long term plan, is one of them. at waikatoregion.govt.nz/yourvoicematters.
But we’d also welcome your feedback on our
regional pest management plan and review of the You will find supporting documents on this
Waikato Regional Coastal Plan. page, too.
These plans cover some big issues – issues that
really matter. Not every proposal will affect you and
we don’t expect every issue to interest everyone.
But your view matters to us, and we believe there
will be something in these plans that matters to you.
That’s why we’re breaking everything down by issue,
making it easier than ever for you to share your
views on the things you really care about.
Ngā mihi mō tō mahi tautoko.
We welcome your input.
2 Waikato Regional Council
Because your voice matters
We don’t ask for feedback on every project we do. Your feedback and the council’s 10-year strategy will
But we are consulting on the projects that have guide the final decisions made by councillors
a significant cost, high community interest or are in June. So, if you want to help make the Waikato
different from what we said we’d do in our last long an even better place to live, this is the time and
term plan three years ago. place to have your say.
We will monitor progress
toward our three long
Our 10-year strategy term outcomes – healthy
environment, strong economy
and vibrant communities
Our vision Our purpose – through our work on the
The mighty Waikato: Working together for a Waikato Waikato Wellbeing targets.
Caring for our place, region that has a healthy For more information on these
empowering our people. environment, strong economy targets, please see page 24.
and vibrant communities.
Waikato mārohirohi:
Manaaki whenua,
whakamana tangata.
Biodiversity Coastal
and biosecurity and marine
Because protecting Because we can
nature protects turn the tide
our future
Sustainable
Climate infrastructure
Because we Because we need
want a better OUR to build with
tomorrow STRATEGIC nature in mind
PRIORITIES
Transport
Water Ō mātou connections
Because
water is the
aronga nui Because a connected
region matters
source of life
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 1
What’s happening and when?
He aha, hei āwhea rānei ngā mahi?
Consultation
1-30 April April 2021
Consultation is open for you to tell us what you
M T W T F S S
think about our proposals
Go to waikatoregion.govt.nz/yourvoicematters to
have your say. You can also respond by post or email.
Hearings and decision making
10-13 May
You can present your feedback to councillors
in person (if you wish) May 2021
Details will be available online at M T W T F S S
waikatoregion.govt.nz/agendas
All meetings are open to the public.
25-28 May
Councillors make decisions on the
2021-2031 Long Term Plan
Your feedback will be taken into account along with
other submissions from across the region.
Final decision
June 2021
24 June 24
The 2021-2031 Long Term Plan is adopted
A copy will then be made available online at
waikatoregion.govt.nz/yourvoicematters
2 Waikato Regional Council
Our proposals at a glance
Ā mātou kaupapa hei whakatātare
Affected
Page
ratepayers
1 Protecting our biodiversity | Kia parea te rerenga rauropi All
ratepayers
8
New services to help halt the decline of our region’s unique plants, animals
and marine life.
2 Sustainable homes scheme | He kaupapa oranga whare Ratepayers
who opt into
10
Borrow money to lend to ratepayers to help them make sustainable
the scheme
improvements to their homes.
3 Lake Taupō Protection Project | Te whakaruruhau a Taupō-nui-a-Tia All
ratepayers
12
Decide future governance and management arrangements for the
Lake Taupō Protection Project.
4 Passenger rail service | He terēina pāhihi Hamilton
ratepayers
14
Increase services to offer more commuter flexibility and improve connectivity.
5 Regional economic development funding | Whakapakari pūtea a-rohe All
ratepayers
16
Increase funding to Te Waka: Anga Whakamua Waikato.
6 Te Aroha suburban outlet drain | Te waikeri puaha o te tapa tāone 86
properties in
18
o Te Aroha
Te Aroha
Transfer responsibility for a suburban drain to Matamata-Piako District Council.
7 Rates remission and postponement | Te whakahekenga, All
ratepayers
20
whakatārewatanga anō o ngā tāke kaunihera
Update our remission policy to better reflect current issues.
8 Cost recovery changes for consent holders | Te piki, heke utu rānei mō Consent
holders
22
ngā kaipupuru raihana
Change the amount consent holders pay for the cost of monitoring and
science investigations.
Other work we’re prioritising
Te whakaraupapatanga o ētahi mahi kē
Infrastructure strategy | Te rautaki tūāpapa 28
Funding to fast track flood asset and environmental restoration works | He pūtea whakatupu tere i 29
ngā ārai waipuke, he pūtea whakaora i te taiao
Improving public transport | He whakatika i ngā waka tūmatanui 30
Zero emissions fleet strategy | He rautaki mō ngā waka rukenga kore 31
Regional resilience | Te taikaha o te rohe 31
Peat soils and carbon accounting | Ngā whenua repo me ngā mahi kaute waro 32
Enabling technology | Te pou āwhina hangarau 32
Consent processing and compliance monitoring | Whakamana raihana me te aroturuki i 33
ngā ture raihana
Investment and affordability | Penapena pūtea me te mahi whai rawa 34
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 3
Striking the right balance
Kia taurite
We love where we live in the mighty Waikato, and our job is to help make it better for
everyone, both now and for generations to come. So, we want to make sure we continue
to work in the best interests of our communities.
Lots of things influence where our council chooses could have been greater, but staff have scaled their
to focus its attention, including legislation from work programmes to focus on what’s really going to
central government, the fast pace of technological make a difference to the region and pushed other
change, the changing landscape of community work out into year two.
needs and expectations, as well as where we have
invested in the past. Our long term commitment to areas like biosecurity,
community facilities and infrastructure will
Last year was one of unexpected challenges continue. As a result of our forward-thinking
for Waikato communities and our council. We investment in flood protection assets through our
responded decisively to deliver a net zero rates last long term plan in 2018, we’re in a great position
revenue change for 2020/21. But the full economic to continue keeping our communities safe. But it’s
impact of COVID-19 on our region is not yet known, important it stays that way. That’s why this plan will
so it’s important that we continue steering a focus on maintenance and renewal of these vital
steady ship. assets to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
That’s why our 2021-2031 Long Term Plan is one of There are other cost drivers that are important for
strategic adjustments rather than big-ticket changes, you to know about too. These are out of our control
helping us to keep costs down and maintain a and come from central government policy decisions
responsible financial position. and regulations – some of which we talk about in
this document – and Treaty of Waitangi settlements.
In line with our strategic priorities, we’re proposing
to invest more in areas like biodiversity to safeguard Over the period of this long term plan, there are
our treasured native wildlife, sustainable homes to a number of settlements to be signed between
promote healthy housing and climate resilience, and Crown and iwi in our rohe. While it’s really important
fresh water to meet the new requirements of central to us that we work well with iwi, embedding the
government as well as the expectations of iwi and requirements of settlement legislation in our
our communities. day-to-day business processes comes at a cost and
without funding support from the Government.
But we’re not consulting on fresh water in this long
term plan because central government’s Essential
Freshwater national policy statement clearly sets out
what we must do and when. It’s a massive body of
work, accounting for around 2 per cent of the rates
increase we’re proposing in year one. The impact
4 Waikato Regional Council
Healthy waterways
He oranga arawai
Simply put, central government’s Essential Freshwater package is all about stopping further
degradation of New Zealand’s fresh water and improving its quality within a generation.
We absolutely support the vision of the Government, A bit more detail
because it reflects what we’d already been hearing
from landowners, iwi and our communities. In As a council, we’re used to changing direction
fact, this council has been one of the leaders in to respond to the Government of the day. And while
New Zealand when it comes to community-driven there is still some uncertainty about the amount of
planning so our waterways are safer for swimming work to be completed, we have made a reasonable
and food gathering. estimate of the funding, resources and research
projects required.
These new freshwater regulations require significant
increases in our monitoring, policy and planning Our response will start with a comprehensive review
work, our regulatory activities, and our engagement of the key documents for the region – that’s the
with landowners and iwi. While we have lots of good Waikato Regional Policy Statement and Waikato
information about our waterways, there are gaps in Regional Plan.
our knowledge which we need to fill.
In these documents we set out our vision for
With this extra work comes extra costs. We’ve the region. Iwi partners, landowners and our
estimated we need to spend an additional communities are critical in helping to develop this.
$2.18 million in year one, and $25.7 million over the
The regional plan identifies how we’re going to
life of this long term plan. In the first year, these costs
manage the natural resources we rely on within the
make up just over 2 per cent of the proposed rate
environmental limits the Government requires us to
increase. In the remaining years of the plan they will
set. We use a range of different tools to achieve this,
make up between 1.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent of
including farm plans required under the Resource
our proposed rate increases. With no direct funding
Management Act.
from government for these responsibilities, that
cost will need to be met by ratepayers. We’re also having to expand our environmental
sampling work to address gaps identified by central
Of course, it will be our communities – and the
government, particularly around ecosystem health,
generations to come – who will ultimately benefit
threatened species and mahinga kai (freshwater
from this extra investment.
food sources).
We’re not consulting on this because we have to
As with all policy changes, we’re going to have to
do the work. We do have some discretion on what
help landowners to comply with the new rules,
we do in order to comply by 2024, so we have been
which we’ll do through education and support.
savvy about our work programmes, scaling them to
focus on what’s really going to make a difference for
the region.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 5
A snapshot of the
impact on rates
Papātanga ki ngā
tāke kaunihera
Over the term of this plan, our total rates revenue is set
to increase from $110.4 million in 2021/22 to $147.8
million in 2030/31. The money we collect is split into
funding from all ratepayers (for services everyone
benefits from) and funding from targeted rates (for
services where those who receive a greater benefit pay
more). To see how this impacts on different property
types, go to page 38 of this document.
Increase in rates revenue from current ratepayers
All property rates Targeted rates
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
-2%
2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/31
Not all proposals will impact everyone,
so it’s important you find out how your
rates will be affected.
Use our rates calculator
waikatoregion.govt.nz/ratescalculator
or call our rates team on 0800 800 401.
6 Waikato Regional Council
Our proposals
Ā mātou
kaupapa
In June, our councillors will make a final
decision on the work we will focus on
over the next 10 years and how it will be
paid for. But before they do, they want
to know what you think about
our proposals.
Each proposal, including what it will cost, how
it will be funded and the impact it will have on
rates, is set out in this document.
Consultation document | 2021-2031
Long Term Long Term 2021
Plan Consultation Plan 7
Biodiversity
a nd bio
sec
urit
Proposal 1 | Marohi 1 y–
Stra
tegic
priority
Protecting our biodiversity
Kia parea te rerenga rauropi
New Zealand has unique plants, animals and marine life – some can only be found in the
mighty Waikato region. Sadly, many are under threat from habitat loss and damage as well
as pests and disease.
While we have been working closely with landowners, This work will require additional funding, but we
iwi, other agencies and our communities to protect have more pressing priorities in year one – like
our unique biodiversity, we’re not seeing the gains responding to the Government’s direction on fresh
we hoped for. And, in some areas, biodiversity is water – that we want to progress and are also
still in decline. required to do by law. So, we propose to start this
work in year two.
The policy landscape is also changing. The National
Policy Statement (NPS) on Indigenous Biodiversity
will soon be released, bringing increased
responsibilities for councils to manage our
region’s biodiversity.
Getting to a point where some species and habitat
types could never recover is not an option and, to HOW THIS WORK WILL
meet the requirements of the NPS, we are proposing
a significant change to the way we work.
SUPPORT WELLBEING
• Healthy biodiversity underpins the
What we’re proposing: success of our economic wellbeing
• Develop a biodiversity accord with all the through primary and nature-based
key partners in the region to set roles and industries such as agriculture,
forestry, horticulture, fisheries,
responsibilities and align efforts and investment.
tourism and recreation.
• Move to new and innovative monitoring and
• Making significant gains in
work practices to monitor biodiversity health protecting the region’s biodiversity
and predators. will directly contribute to enhancing
environmental wellbeing.
• Gather and share more and better-quality
information on the current state of biodiversity so • Healthier biodiversity will provide
we can better assess what is changing and make intrinsic value to the entire region
more informed decisions. thereby enhancing cultural wellbeing.
• Reform our regional policy to provide better
protection for the unique biodiversity that remains.
• Provide more targeted restoration advice and
support for the public to access.
• Increase resourcing to assist the restoration
efforts of communities and landowners.
8 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2
Commence new services in year two (2022/23). Commence new services in year one (2021/22).
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Increase in level of service in year 2. Increase in level of service in year 1.
Total cost Total cost
2021/22 – Nil 2021/22 – $528,000
2022/23 – $551,000 2022/23 – $1.001 million
2023/24 – $1.033 million 2023/24 – $1.314 million
Impact on rates Impact on rates
2021/22 – Nil 2021/22 – 35 cents per $100,000 of capital value
2022/23 – 36 cents per $100,000 of capital value 2022/23 – 66 cents per $100,000 of capital value
2023/24 – 67 cents per $100,000 of capital value 2023/24 – 85 cents per $100,000 of capital value
Impact on debt Impact on debt
Nil Nil
Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan
At the same time we’re talking to you about partners, like the Ministry for Primary Industries,
our long term plan, we’re also consulting on Department of Conservation and neighbouring
proposed changes to our Waikato Regional Pest regional councils.
Management Plan – known as RPMP for short.
Our proposed RPMP focuses on new invasions,
Biosecurity is a priority in our 10-year strategy. established programmes where we’re seeing great
We look after our natural areas by investing in benefit, and managing specific sites.
biodiversity, through the long term plan, and by
focusing on the harmful species that threaten it. Any harmful organisms not listed in the RPMP,
including those which are the lead responsibility
The RPMP sets out why various plant and animal of government agencies (e.g. the Department
pests will be controlled in our rohe, who is of Conservation and the Ministry for Primary
responsible for the work, and includes rules about Industries), will be covered by the new Waikato
appropriate enforcement. Biosecurity Strategic Plan. This plan focuses on
biosecurity partnerships and programmes, and
We’ve just updated our RPMP to bring
empowering iwi, landowners and communities to
it in line with government direction
help care for our rohe.
and work already being done by our
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 9Clim
Proposal 2 | Marohi 2 ate
– Stra
tegic
priority
Sustainable homes scheme
He kaupapa oranga whare
We want everyone in the Waikato region to have a healthy home to live in. That’s why we’re
investigating how we could work with partners to create a sustainable homes programme
for our region.
Such a scheme has been working well through Only those that opt into the scheme will be
regional councils in other parts of New Zealand. responsible for the loan costs associated with these
In the Waikato, the programme would assist improvements. While the programme is designed to
homeowners with loans to make sustainable be cost-neutral for general ratepayers, or may even
improvements like water tank installation, generate a small surplus, the need to subsidise the
insulation, double-glazing, heating, ventilation, operational costs over the short term is likely.
and solar power and septic tank upgrades.
We haven’t set our proposed budget for this work
yet because we’re still investigating options. But we
want your thoughts on whether we should set up
the scheme or not.
HOW THIS WORK WILL
SUPPORT WELLBEING
• Providing another way for
homeowners to make sustainable
improvements without having to
pay the full cost upfront.
• Delivering health benefits through
warmer, drier homes.
• Supporting sustainable forms of
energy generation and heating,
promoting healthy communities
and reducing air pollution from
ineffective forms of heating.
10 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2 (status quo)
Council borrows money to help households install sustainable Council does not provide a
improvements (e.g. water tanks, insulation, double-glazing, sustainable homes programme.
heating, ventilation, solar power and septic tank upgrades).
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Increase in level of service from the implementation of the scheme Nil
(expected to be in 2021/22).
Total cost Total cost
The total cost of the scheme is not yet known. The scheme is Nil
designed to be cost neutral to the general ratepayer over the
longer term.
Impact on rates Impact on rates
Rating impacts will be specific to those properties Nil
participating in the scheme. For other ratepayers, there
will not be any rating impact.
Impact on debt Impact on debt
The council expects to take on additional borrowing to facilitate Nil
the scheme. It is estimated that debt may be up to $35 million.
Key aspects of the scheme include the following:
• We would borrow money to lend to ratepayers • If there is a VTR on the property at the time
for sustainable home improvements, with it is sold, it must be paid off before the sale
borrowing estimated to be around $35 million. can proceed.
• This borrowing would leverage the low interest • To access the VTR funding, ratepayers would
rates available to council, but participants would need to demonstrate a good credit rating and
also incur an administration cost. rates payment history.
• Customers would obtain a quote for approved • Approval may be withheld if there is evidence
work from a list of approved local suppliers and that adding to repayments would cause
enter into a contract with the supplier to carry hardship, as per the guidance of the Consumer,
out the work up to the value of the loan. Credit and Finance Act Amendment for
responsible lending.
• For those participating in the scheme, a
voluntary targeted rate (VTR) would be placed
on the property, calculated on the loan being
repaid over 10 years.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 11Wa
Proposal 3 | Marohi 3 ter
– St
rateg
ic priority
Lake Taupō Protection Project
Te whakaruruhau a Taupō-nui-a-Tia
In the early 2000s, we worked with Taupō District Council and the Crown to reduce the
amount of nitrogen entering Lake Taupō. We took a major step towards achieving this
with the establishment of the Lake Taupō Protection Trust.
The trust was initially set up to develop a programme A decision is now required on who should oversee
of work that would reduce the amount of nitrogen these agreements into the future and how this
leaching into the lake by 20 per cent, which equates should be funded. That’s because the trust, which
to 170 tonnes per year. They did this by entering into has fulfilled its initial purpose, was only ever
27 landowner agreements, each with a 999-year life, intended to have a limited life. Added to this, the
to reduce the amount of nitrogen the landowners current arrangements are due to end in June 2021
were discharging on their land. and Crown funding already ended in 2018/19.
We have agreed with Taupō District Council to jointly
consult on the future of the Lake Taupō Protection
Trust as part of our respective 2021-2031 long term
HOW THIS WORK WILL plans, with two consultation options agreed.
SUPPORT WELLBEING The preferred option is to retain the trust, however,
this is the more expensive option. Our contribution
• Deciding the best future governance will be capped at 50 per cent of the lowest cost
and management model for the project option (option two). The remaining funding will
will protect the environmental gains be provided by Taupō District Council. Under both
made over the last 20 years, ensuring options, the same level of service will continue
the environmental wellbeing of the to be provided.
region is protected.
Our share of funding for the project will be collected
• Maintaining the health of Lake Taupō,
through a region wide uniform rate. This would cost
a major tourist destination, supports
economic wellbeing. $0.79 per household in year one.
• The cultural wellbeing of
Ngāti Tūwharetoa as kaitiaki
of the lake will be supported
through ongoing management and
governance of the project.
A cost benefit analysis has
been completed for both
proposals. You can read the
analysis in our supporting
documents, available online
at waikatoregion.govt.nz/
yourvoicematters.
12 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2
Governance undertaken by the Lake Taupō Protection Governance undertaken by the Lake
Project Joint Committee with the management of the Taupō Protection Project Joint Committee
contracts undertaken by the Lake Taupō Protection with the management of the contracts
Trust, with their workspace provided in either Taupō undertaken by staff at either Waikato
District Council or Waikato Regional Council offices. Regional Council or Taupō District Council.
If this option is agreed to, a review of the arrangement
will take place in 12 months’ time to consider whether
the new governance and management structures are
the most efficient and cost effective ways to manage
the agreements.
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Nil – the level of service is the same with Nil – the level of service is the same with
both options. both options.
Total cost of this option Total cost of this option
2021/22 – $339,598 2021/22 – $288,361
2022/23 – $359,598 2022/23 – $254,002
2023/24 – $332,998 2023/24 – $227,402
Total contribution from Waikato Regional Total contribution from Waikato Regional
Council (50% of the lowest cost option) Council (50% of the lowest cost option)
2021/22 – $144,000 2021/22 – $144,000
2022/23 – $131,000 2022/23 – $131,000
2023/24 – $120,000 2023/24 – $120,000
Impact on rates Impact on rates
2021/22 – 79 cents per rateable property 2021/22 – 79 cents per rateable property
2022/23 – 71 cents per rateable property 2022/23 – 71 cents per rateable property
2023/24 – 64 cents per rateable property 2023/24 – 64 cents per rateable property
Impact on debt Impact on debt
Nil Nil
Decision making will be slightly different for this proposal
The consultation dates of the two councils are not The recommendation will be considered by
aligned. Taupō District Council’s consultation is the two councils as part of the long term plan
scheduled from 15 March to 16 April and Waikato deliberations process.
Regional Council’s from 1 to 30 April.
Any submissions we receive on this topic
However, it has been agreed that hearing your will be shared with Taupō District Council,
feedback and making a recommendation on the and vice versa.
future of the Lake Taupō Protection Trust will
take place on Monday, 17 May, in Taupō District
Council’s chambers.
The hearings committee will be made up
of six people – three elected members
from each council – to hear from any
submitters who wish to speak to their
submissions and then make a
recommendation on this issue.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 13Transport
co nnec
tion
Proposal 4 | Marohi 4 s–
Stra
tegic
priority
Passenger rail service
He tereina pāhihi
We know we need to improve transport connections between Waikato and Auckland as
commuter numbers grow. That’s why, through our last long term plan, we agreed to a
start-up passenger rail service between the two regions, now called Te Huia.
When Te Huia launches in April 2021, return services It also offers the certainty that other councils and
will run from Frankton to Papakura via Rotokauri (The developers need to be able to invest in infrastructure
Base) and Huntly, twice a day during the week and like new stations, park-and-ride facilities and private
once on select Saturdays over the first few months. development that will rejuvenate places like Huntly,
make our region more vibrant and help reduce
Central government committed 75.5 per cent of the
transport emissions.
service costs, less fare revenue, for the five years of
the start-up service. We have assumed the service, Perhaps most importantly, it will give residents
and current funding arrangement, will continue for more confidence and flexibility to decide where they
the life of this long term plan. If the same level of choose to live and work and may even enable more
central government funding is not received, we will people to move to the region.
need to reconsider our investment in the service.
This may mean that alternative funding would be
sought and may result in changes being made to the HOW THIS WORK WILL
rail service. From 1 July 2021, we anticipate Waikato
District Council will also make a contribution to
SUPPORT WELLBEING
the operational costs. Hamilton ratepayers will • Increasing opportunities for our
contribute the remaining funding for the service. communities to access education,
health services, employment and
To make the start-up service successful in the social activities.
long term, we need to start planning for future
improvements now. So, we’re proposing to • Providing cost effective and low
extend the service’s operation in year three emission travel options.
(2023/24). This will allow for: • Reducing the need for additional
investment in road infrastructure to
• an additional interpeak service on weekdays
move more people between
• investigation of opportunities to extend the Waikato and Auckland.
service from Papakura further into Auckland.
Our commitment to ongoing improvements will
give confidence to central government – the largest
investor in the service – to keep backing it. And that’s
a certainty we need, because the improvements
are contingent on continuing to receive significant
funding assistance from central government,
otherwise we will not proceed with the proposal.
14 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2 (status quo)
Add an additional interpeak service, extend the Maintain the current arrangements.
service further into Auckland and purchase and
refurbish more carriages as well as a locomotive.
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Increase from year 3 Nil
Total cost Total cost
2021/22 – $400,000 2021/22 – Nil
2022/23 – $100,000 2022/23 – Nil
2023/24 – $3.005 million 2023/24 – Nil
Impact on rates Impact on rates
2021/22 – 53 cents per $100,000 capital value for 2021/22 – Nil
Hamilton city ratepayers
2022/23 – Nil
2022/23 – 13 cents per $100,000 capital value for
2023/24 – Nil
Hamilton city ratepayers
2023/24 – $1.61 per $100,000 capital value for
Hamilton city ratepayers
Impact on debt Impact on debt
Nil, based on the assumption that 100 per cent Nil
of the purchase of additional rolling stock will be
funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
As part of this proposal we have identified Rolling stock is expensive and the council
the need for improvements to carriages and would need central government to fully fund
locomotives, called rolling stock. Rolling stock these items. While there is currently no funding
improvements are necessary to ensure service committed by central government for rolling
reliability, enable growth and support the stock improvements, the council will be working
longevity of the service as existing rolling stock with government partners to confirm longer term
come to the end of its useful life. funding arrangements.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 15Proposal 5 | Marohi 5
Regional economic
development funding
Whakapakari pūtea ā-rohe
As a council, we’re committed to making an even better life for the people of our region.
One way we’re doing that is by working with others to help make our region stronger and
economically resilient.
That’s why we’re proposing to invest more in our We want to make sure any increased investment
regional economic development agency, Te Waka: delivers better outcomes for our region – this is
Anga Whakamua Waikato. It’s a business-led and especially important as we recover from the
governed organisation set up to drive economic impacts of COVID-19. So any increase in funding
growth in the Waikato region. would be subject to an accountability framework
to ensure agreed outcomes are achieved for the
Its aim is to lift economic performance across our
money provided.
rohe and, among other things, to be the key contact
for central government investment in our region.
But to date, the Waikato has not seen the same level
of funding as other regions and we believe more
support is required to help Te Waka achieve its
objectives faster. We also believe that an increased
funding injection will help attract other funders
and, with more money, more will be achieved for
HOW THIS WORK WILL
our communities. SUPPORT WELLBEING
By doing this, we will have a strengthened
• Supports economic activity
economic development voice in Wellington to
through job creation and business
leverage significant central government funding sustainability.
for the Waikato.
• Fosters community ability to set goals
Funding of $300,000 per annum has historically and achieve them through support,
been provided to Te Waka through the general rate. and financial security.
It’s proposed to increase this amount up to $750,000
per annum for three years, funded from investment • Encourages increased financial
investment in the region through
fund returns, with a consequential reduction in the
partnerships with central government.
funding available for the Regional
Development Fund.
16 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2 (status quo)
Te Waka receives funding of up to $750,000 per Maintain the current level of support for Te
annum for three years, funded from investment Waka, but fund via investment fund returns.
fund returns.
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Nil Nil
Total cost Total cost
2021/22 – $750,000 2021/22 – $300,000
2022/23 – $750,000 2022/23 – $300,000
2023/24 – $750,000 2023/24 – $300,000
Impact on rates Impact on rates
Nil Nil
Impact on debt Impact on debt
Nil Nil
About the Regional
Development Fund
Six years ago we established this contestable
fund for regionally significant projects which
will benefit people of all ages through the
region, now and into the future. The fund
was established using some of the returns
from our investment fund, after subsidising
rates and allowing for inflation-proofing. By
using this fund to support Te Waka, it means
there will be less available for potential
applications, at least in the short term.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 17Sustainable
infras
truc
tur
Proposal 6 | Marohi 6 e – St
rateg
ic priority
Te Aroha suburban outlet drain
Te waikeri puaha o te tapa
tāone o Te Aroha
Transfer to Matamata-Piako District Council
Increasing urbanisation west of Stanley Avenue in Te Aroha has resulted in more runoff and
made it difficult for our staff to access the suburban outlet drain for maintenance.
There are also inconsistencies with drainage and There is a set process for this sort of transfer
stormwater rates paid by properties in this area, with between a regional council and territorial authority.
most paying Waikato Regional Council drainage The local authority must consider the implications,
rates and Matamata-Piako District Council (MPDC) be satisfied that the benefits outweigh any negative
urban stormwater rates. effects, notify the Minister for Local Government of
the proposed transfer and consult on the issue.
With this in mind, both councils believe it is more
logical for us to transfer responsibility for a portion A letter has been sent to the Minister advising of the
of the suburban outlet drain in Te Aroha to MPDC. proposed transfer.
MPDC would be better placed to manage runoff
and drain access issues. Transferring responsibility Only a small number of ratepayers in Te Aroha will
would also mean a change in rates, with landowners be affected by this change. We will write directly to
paying the right drainage rates to us and stormwater those ratepayers outlining the proposal.
rates to MPDC, based on the benefits they receive
from the infrastructure.
HOW THIS WORK WILL
SUPPORT WELLBEING
• Ensuring we have the right people
providing the right service will lead to
more efficient and effective delivery.
18 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2 (status quo)
That responsibility for the suburban outlet drain That responsibility for the suburban outlet
upstream of Pooles Road transfers from Waikato drain upstream of Pooles Road in Te Aroha
Regional Council to Matamata-Piako District remains with Waikato Regional Council.
Council (MPDC).
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Decrease in service from Waikato Regional Council – No change in level of service.
service delivered by MPDC instead.
Impact on rates Impacts on rates
Total contribution for drainage rates reduces by Nil
$543 in year 1.
Average impact on drainage rates in year 1:
• 52 properties will receive a small decrease
• 34 properties will receive an average rate
increase of $0.13.
Impact on debt Impact on debt
Nil Nil
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 19Proposal 7 | Marohi 7
Rates remission and postponement
Te whakahekenga,
whakatārewatanga anō
o ngā tāke kaunihera
We are required to review our rates remission and postponement policies every six years and to
consult on any proposed changes. We’re taking the opportunity to do this in our long term plan.
Rates remission policies enable us to: • Rates remission for financial hardship
· support ratepayers with financial or other Through the 2020/21 Annual Plan, the council
assistance where they may otherwise have adopted criteria that could be applied to provide
difficulty meeting their obligations remission to ratepayers facing financial hardship.
This was a direct response to the COVID-19
· address circumstances where the rating system pandemic, to support those most in need
results in anomalies at the time.
· support the achievement of our broader The financial impact of COVID-19 on our
policy objectives. communities is still unclear, but likely to be
ongoing for some time. Given this, and the
Our policies have been reviewed and fact our council does not have a hardship
we think the following areas relief policy, we have included the criteria
are worth changing. in our proposed rates remission policy. The
policy provides additional financial support to
• Remission of the public transport rate for ratepayers who are eligible for the Department
Hamilton ratepayers of Internal Affairs’ rates rebate.
All Hamilton ratepayers make a contribution
towards public transport services. Those within • Remission of rates to help landowners
800 metres of a bus route are assessed as getting protect land-based biodiversity
a direct benefit from those services. But those
Our current policy includes Queen Elizabeth
outside that radius still get an ‘indirect’ benefit.
II (QEII), Ngā Whenua Rāhui and significant
We assess that indirect benefit based on the
natural area (SNA) rates remission. The QEII
capital value of your property. Our current policy
and Ngā Whenua Rāhui remissions provide
states that we will only assess indirect benefits
financial incentives for cost-effective solutions.
up to a value of $2.5 million of capital value. As
But, to date, there haven’t been any successful
property values have increased over the last five
applications for SNA remission. We’ve explored
years, and a property of this value would now be
amendments to the policy, as well as further
worth close to $5 million, we have increased the
promotion, to encourage greater uptake of the
maximum value against which rates are assessed
remissions available.
to this new amount.
20 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2 (status quo)
Update the rates remission policy to reflect the Leave the rates remission policy as it
changes identified. currently is.
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Nil Nil
Total cost Total cost
2021/22 – $100,000 2021/22 – Nil
2022/23 – $103,000 2022/23 – Nil
2023/24 – $105,000 2023/24 – Nil
Impact on rates Impact on rates
2021/22 – 7 cents per $100,000 capital value 2021/22 – Nil
2022/23 – 7 cents per $100,000 capital value 2022/23 – Nil
2023/24 – 7 cents per $100,000 capital value 2023/24 – Nil
Impact on debt Impact on debt
Nil Nil
HOW THIS WORK WILL
SUPPORT WELLBEING
• Providing a greater level of support to
those who require financial assistance.
• Protection of the natural environment
through remitting rates to protect
significant natural areas.
• Ensuring policies support those more
in need and are accessible.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 21Proposal 8 | Marohi 8
Cost recovery changes for
consent holders
Te piki, heke utu rānei mō ngā
kaipupuru raihana
We have a responsibility to manage the region’s natural resources. Consents are one of the
main tools we have to do this. Consents permit things like the allocation of water or the
ability to discharge waste, for example. Not all activities need a consent, but for those that
do we apply conditions to ensure our communities can continue to benefit from our natural
resources for generations to come.
We also monitor the state of our environment to • Decrease the cost of marine farming consents,
continually assess the impact of these consents. as we will be doing less work over the next three
We recover a portion of the cost of our monitoring years on the impacts of this type of activity than
and science investigations where the need for the we have done in the past.
work is caused by consent holders’ activities.
• Increase the cost of consents for other coastal
As the focus of our work changes over time, we need activities, as the work we will be doing over
to reassess how much of it is funded by general the next three years will tell us more about the
ratepayers and how much is funded by consent impacts of these consent types.
holders. Based on our latest assessment, the total
contribution from all consent holders will decrease • Introduce a new charge for moorings, as they
slightly compared to last year. contribute to the marine biosecurity work we
have to do.
However, we are proposing the following
• Increase the process discharge consent cost to
changes for some individual consents:
cover the costs of the extra work we need to be
• Increase the cost of dam consents, as we doing on water quality monitoring and meeting
haven’t been fully recovering our state of the central government expectations.
environment monitoring costs associated
• Make some category changes for geothermal
with them.
consents, moving to a uniform charge for all
• Increase the cost of agricultural discharge consent types.
consents, as the collective impact of this activity
has created additional monitoring requirements. These proposed changes vary across different
types of resource consents, so we’ll be writing to
• Increase the cost of air discharge consents as all affected resource consent holders directly to
total project costs are increasing in order to explain what they mean for them and to seek
comply with central government requirements. their feedback.
22 Waikato Regional CouncilOption 1 (preferred option) Option 2 (status quo)
Update the charges to reflect the Leave the charges as they currently are.
proposed changes.
Impact on level of service Impact on level of service
Nil Nil
Impact on rates Impact on rates
Nil Nil
We will write to consent holders, outlining the
proposed changes in charges for their consent(s).
Impact on debt Impact on debt
Nil Nil
Water user charges
HOW THIS WORK WILL An assessment of the water take charges has
SUPPORT WELLBEING been undertaken by a sector group made up
of irrigation, agriculture, industry, municipal
and iwi water take consent holders. As a result
• Ensuring natural resources are managed
of that assessment, we have decided to retain
sustainably to support healthy
communities, generate employment our current approach for these charges. Even
and provide financial security. though we’re keeping the same approach,
there will be an increase to the cost of water
• Ensure cultural beliefs, values take consents, as we haven’t been fully
and customs are considered when recovering monitoring costs associated with
monitoring our resources. this consent type.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 23Waikato wellbeing targets
Ngā whāinga oranga
Our council is part of the Waikato
Wellbeing Project – a regional
initiative to achieve a more
environmentally sustainable,
prosperous and inclusive
Waikato region by 2030.
Through this project, Waikato
communities have agreed on
a set of wellbeing targets to
meet the unique challenges
STRONG ECONOMY
facing this region. The
targets are based on the 17
United Nations’ Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
The challenge now is to
turn the targets into action.
Success will depend on
Waikato residents and
agencies – iwi, business,
VIBR
industry groups, central and ANT COMMUNITIES
local government, tertiary
education and research
providers, economic
development agencies
and citizens – working in
partnership and in alignment
with te ao Māori.
The most relevant wellbeing
targets have been mapped to
our proposals to show how
we are promoting the social,
economic, environmental
and cultural wellbeing H EA
of communities. LTHY ENVIRONMENT
24 Waikato Regional CouncilConsultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 25
26 Waikato Regional Council
Other work we’re
prioritising
Te whakaraupapatanga
o ētahi mahi kē
We don’t ask for your feedback on everything because not
every area of activity we prioritise through our 10-year strategy
requires consultation or necessarily presents a useful question.
These issues could be things we are required to do, things we
have already committed to, things we can’t afford not to do, or
things that don’t meet pre-determined thresholds for things like
community interest or financial value.
Though it aligns closely with our own priorities, our approach to
fresh water, for example, is guided primarily by a policy directive from
central government. Our ‘shovel ready’ programmes were similarly
prompted by central government policy, in this case representing an
economic and environmental opportunity that we can’t afford to pass up.
And our infrastructure strategy is about keeping our commitments
to maintain critical assets and existing financial obligations, confront the
challenges posed by climate change and, most importantly, keep our
communities safe.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 27Infrastructure strategy
Te rautaki tūāpapa
In our last long term plan, we outlined the important role our flood protection assets play in the
everyday lives of our residents as well as the many visitors the mighty Waikato welcomes every
year. We also showed the increasing costs we faced to deliver this service. While we are focused
on maintaining, renewing or replacing our existing assets through this long term plan, the issues
set out in our 2018-2028 Long Term Plan still remain.
Recap of the issues: Ensuring long term
• Flooding is the most frequent and widespread sustainability
natural hazard in the Waikato region. We maintain
$542 million worth of assets (such as floodgates, We know sustainability is a key challenge when it
pump stations and stopbanks) to help protect comes to maintenance. Over the longer term (20 years
homes, livelihoods and critical infrastructure. or more), we think it will have a significant impact on
how land is used across the region. To model what
• Our current flood protection assets are between 40 these changes might be, and the impact they will
and 60 years old and will reach the end of their life in have on when and where we provide flood protection,
the next 50 years. Many are in need of maintenance, we’re developing a sustainable infrastructure
renewal or replacement even sooner because they decision making framework. It will be a consistent
simply weren’t built to withstand the changing and transparent formula for the region. There is still
environment and climate. This is now our main focus. some testing and engagement to do with affected
• Expanding urban landscapes create additional groups to make sure we get this right. We expect to
stormwater runoff, requiring bigger pumps to deal be seeking feedback in the next two years about what
with greater volumes of water. this might mean for our existing assets and ongoing
maintenance costs.
• As new technologies emerge that are better for the
environment and the health of our waterways, we
seek to make use of them. While the upfront cost
may be higher, it’s more economical over the life
of the asset.
Addressing the impacts of climate change
We don’t know exactly how severe the impact of our Climate Action Roadmap. The way the cost of
climate change will be on our assets, but we do climate change is factored into stopbank renewals
know that climate change increases the incidence is changing. And the impacts of drought are being
of extreme weather events, affecting the size and recognised as a key infrastructure challenge, where
frequency of storms as well as the impact and previous strategies focused solely on the risks of
duration of droughts. We’re taking a more joined- increased rainfall and sea level rise. Total capital
up catchment-based approach to respond to expenditure has reduced as we have focused more
this – an approach that’s in line with a sustainable on planning and investigation while continuing to
infrastructure decision making framework and effectively manage infrastructure risks.
28 Waikato Regional CouncilFunding to fast track flood
asset and environmental
restoration works
He pūtea whakatupu tere i ngā
ārai waipuke, he pūtea
whakaora i te taiao
In response to COVID-19, the Government called for ‘shovel ready’ infrastructure and
environmental restoration projects to stimulate these sectors and the wider economy, to
be of public or regional benefit, and create jobs. We put forward environmental and climate
resilience proposals to fast track projects that protect and enhance water quality, promote
biodiversity, improve soils, protect coastal areas, and safeguard communities from flooding.
Our projects are based on work we were already The projects put forward will run for between two
doing or had in mind following discussions with and five years. As a lot of this work will take place in
iwi and stakeholders. And there is already our flood protection areas, in year two our targeted
significant investment from our ratepayers. rates do increase. This reflects the portion of the
The Government’s contribution simply means we cost of flood protection programmes borne by the
can fast track this work. communities protected by them. But, by leveraging
central government investment, the value for money
The work will continue to improve the health of local
these communities can expect will, of course,
environments and increase community resilience.
increase too.
It will also support contractors and suppliers (such
as fencers, arborists and pest control specialists) in To date, around $29 million of grant funding in
rural areas and small towns across the region. It has total has been confirmed for multiple projects,
been estimated that the projects will create between amounting to about $48 million in overall spend
300 and 400 jobs of varying duration. across the Waikato region.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 29Improving public transport
He whakatika i ngā waka
tūmatanui
There are more than 4.5 million passenger trips on our buses every year, and in April our first
Te Huia rail service will roll out of Hamilton en route to Auckland. But there are ways we can
make our public transport network even better for our communities.
With our buses, we’re looking to change our
operating model so people have better access to For this long term plan, we have assumed that
education, employment, healthcare and social we won’t experience any major disruptions to
opportunities within Hamilton. A highly functional public transport services like those caused by
public transport system will allow for urban the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We have
intensification without the need to build more roads. also assumed that patronage will take some
time to return to what it was before COVID-19
For our rural communities, we’re proposing
hit. Should another lockdown occur, it is
expansions by partnering and coordinating with
assumed that central government would
others. It will mean more people will be able to bus
again step in with financial assistance to
into the city, easing congestion and providing better
address lost fare revenue.
access to essential services and employment.
We’ll also phase in improvements to our Te Huia
passenger rail service, which you can read more
about on page 14.
By investing more in public transport, we can reduce
carbon emissions from other transport modes and
the pressure on our roads, while also improving road
safety. What’s more, it will empower
communities to interact
sub-regionally.
30 Waikato Regional CouncilZero emissions fleet strategy
He rautaki mō ngā waka
rukenga kore
Our council is working on a strategy to move to a zero emissions corporate and public
transport fleet.
It’s not just about reducing emissions – it’s also announcements and a new central funding package
about the health benefits to our communities and will support this. We’ll implement the strategy by
environment of having fewer polluting vehicles on encouraging zero emissions fleet options when our
the roads. There will be some key infrastructure existing contracts for our public transport networks
hurdles to overcome, but recent government are up for renewal.
Regional resilience
Te taikaha o te rohe
In a changing environment, we need to continually improve our understanding of potential
hazards, the risks they bring and how these risks will be compounded by climate change.
The Lower Waikato and Hauraki Plains (including We’ll be gathering more natural hazard information
Thames) have been identified as two key areas that and identifying risk thresholds and trigger points
need detailed information and assessment to help so we can engage appropriately with affected
us make sound, evidence-based decisions about communities. This information will support a flexible
environment and infrastructure management, and risk management plan for water management to
land use planning. address both high and low rainfall extremes.
Consultation document | 2021-2031 Long Term Plan 31Peat soils and carbon accounting
Ngā whenua repo me ngā mahi
kaute waro
The Waikato region has about 89,000 hectares of undrained peatlands as carbon sinks, may influence
peat soils, and about 80 per cent of this area has how peat soils are managed in the future.
been drained for productive land uses. Drainage of
peat soils results in land subsidence of about 2cm It’s important we work alongside landowners
per year, and carbon dioxide emissions. to understand all of the issues associated with
managing peat and to develop durable solutions.
Ongoing subsidence is a problem for sustainable
drainage and flood protection infrastructure. The proposed work will ensure we have good data,
Carbon emissions from drained peatlands add that is available to everyone, to support
to our region’s greenhouse gas footprint. And the this discussion.
anticipated impacts of climate change in the future We’ve included funding in year two of our budget
may further contribute to these problems. to develop our understanding of the activities that
Ongoing subsidence and carbon loss from drained contribute to peat subsidence, and to measure the
peat soils, climate change, and the opportunities for emission of carbon dioxide from peat loss. This
information will be vital going forward.
Enabling technology
Te pou āwhina hangarau
People want us to be flexible, agile and responsive We have also allocated a small amount of funding
to emerging trends. They also want easy access to each year to monitor new advances in technology.
our data and information. That requires investment We regularly see or hear about great ideas, but it’s
in our technology, processes and software. always important to make sure new options are right
for us and our ratepayers before committing to a
We’re already working to replace 28 corporate
potentially significant investment.
software systems into one integrated smart solution.
This will make our internal processes more efficient
and effective, and make it easier for our customers
to do business with us.
32 Waikato Regional CouncilYou can also read
