Mayors Memo

 

 

Kia ora

Big news for everyone in Kaipara is the shape of the new roading contract, included for Council’s consideration at its June Council meeting, for the period 1 July 2018 until 30 June 2022. Everyone I meet with has a road complaint or a story to tell, especially as winter comes on.

Frustrations from the past will ease, I hope, as the new contract with its range of bigger improvements comes into effect from 1 July, subject to awarding of the contract, at our June Council meeting. 

Biggest highlights for me from the proposed new road contract are:

 The contractor is now required to have a customer liaison officer to manage all service requests; if you call or email Council with a complaint or request regarding our roading network your call will be logged and immediately referred to the contractor’s customer liaison officer. You’ll then be kept informed of progress on the problem you reported. We’ve not had this level of connectedness in the last five-year contract. 

 On our unsealed network, which is most of our Kaipara roads, there will be routine grading and an extra focus on drainage inspection including watertable drains and culverts and returning gravel back to the road when it’s been washed overboard. Improved culvert end cleaning by diggers and more use of shovels will be welcomed. 

 Within the contract at least 30 per cent of the work will be done by Northland-based subcontractors, some of whom are from Kaipara – local knowledge, local networks, local businesses.

Best by far of recent stories is that Council has reduced expected rates increase as it completed work on the Long Term Plan 2018-28. For the first year of the plan, the average Rate increase is LESS than what was consulted on; 4.97 percent increase rather than 5.45 percent increase.

Kaipara has a small rating base, and a 1 percent increase in the General Rate amounts to about $200,000 in real terms. Based on that formula it’s fair to say many individual farms in Kaipara have revenue greater than a 5 percent increase in rates! Still, we’re doing more with less, seeking efficiencies at every turn and getting on with the job. The Long Term Plan has been audited, and subject to Council adoption at the June Council meeting, Auditors will offer their opinion on the Plan, it’s all square, fit for purpose and is right on target to be operative on 1 July. 
Brightest stars are all coming out about now for Matariki events across Kaipara District, and also for the return of the annual Kaipara Citizens Awards. We’ll be calling for nominations soon – something for you to consider while you’re stargazing. Beyond that, I reckon it’s a season for eyes on the road ahead and both hands on the wheel.

Nga mihi nui, Jason Smith