IMAGE - Interactive map helping Whangarei residents learn about the city's LTP. Enjoy it at http://whangareimomentum.co.nz/

Whangarei’s Future: what version do you see?  Lots of cats?  Bridges everywhere? A 30,000 seat stadium? Beaches you can ride horses on? What about the Kai Iwi lakes?

Right now, district councils around the North are asking for your input on their annual plans. This is the second year since the Long Term Plan was produced. The first year of that plan serves as the Annual Plan for that year.

The Far North’s invitation for consultation and submissions is here. Kaipara has released a consultation document here, although its pressing issue seems to be the bylaw disallowing powerboats on Kai Iwi Lakes. You have a few days left to make a submission on that here.  

Whangarei is doing things a little different by consulting first and seeing what you have to say. This way, WDC can reduce the number of submissions that they get. To see when the next meeting in your area is click here.

The big ticket items for Whangarei are: rates will still be going up; roading projects are still happening; Council still plans to move all of their staff into one building; Council also is looking at relocating the airport from Onerahi. Meanwhile the Council is rationalising their failed attempt to sell the Old Boys rugby grounds at Okara.  Many of the actions within the Annual Plan are dealing with the funding shortages (ie. stuff-ups) which have meant WDC is short on money. The agenda for the discussion on the 17th March looks at how to pay for capital works, why certain government and NZTA subsidies are not coming through, and why the Old Boys sale didn’t happen.

Let’s face it, the public aren’t stupid.  Long term plan consultations are important. We need to be heard as a public. If you don’t speak up, what’s stopping more Council spending on non-essential items? You can start by making submissions via this easy link. The entire long term plan for Whangarei is accessible here, by the way.

Please make time to be at these meetings and to have a say. Northland, you should choose your future. Not the politicians.