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We're planning ahead to ensure the next 10 years deliver on your vision for a thriving Central Hawke's Bay

 Community consultation has now closed. 


Thank you to everyone took the time to make a submission and have their say.


Read the full consultation documents

Facing the facts LTP Consultation Doc 2021-2031
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Facing the Facts - LTP 2021-2031 Supporting Documentation

We're developing the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 for Central Hawke's Bay.  We have some huge challenges ahead of us that we must face now, so we can secure a thriving future for our district and generations to come. We've got some ideas about how we can face these challenges, but we need to know what you think. 

We've outlined our challenges and proposed options for addressing these challenges on this site and in our consultation document.  You can have your say online, in person at one of our organised events, or make a submission by email or post. We want to hear from everyone, so please, make sure you have your say from 1 to 31 March 2021.


Our reality


We now know more than we have ever known about the state of our infrastructure and services. For decades,  rates have been kept artificially low, instead of fully funding depreciation or putting aside reserve funds for the renewal of our core infrastructure assets. We now require major investment in nearly every aspect of our infrastructure and services. A major step change is required to respond to the level of renewals and upgrade work we need to complete. 


In this Long Term Plan we are proposing increases to rates and the council’s overall debt limits, so we can deliver an intense infrastructure renewals programme. We are also proposing increases to development contributions to lessen the burden of growth on our ratepayers. The reality of our previous investment decisions means some dramatic increases for the future.

We need your feedback on four key challenges

We run six wastewater treatment plants and all of them require major upgrades and renewals. We're proposing to deliver these upgrades over the next 15 years.

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We face major investment in nearly every aspect of our infrastructure and services. We’re proposing a step change in the delivery of our renewals and upgrades. 


Our community has a vision for a Waste Free CHB. We’re proposing changes to our recycling and rubbish services, but we want your views on some important trade-offs.




We are growing like never before. This growth brings costs to service new development. We’re proposing to increase development contributions and lessen the financial burden of growth on our ratepayers.

We also want your views on...


We need to know if you agree with our approach to crunching the numbers and the way in which we're planning our infrastructure. We are also asking for your views on the bylaws that govern the way we manage tradewaste, stormwater, water supply and wastewater.

Our Finance Strategy

The financial strategy outlines our overall approach to managing our finances. It sets our limits on rates increases and debt, illustrates the overall financial impacts of decisions made in the Long Term Plan and is key in demonstrating prudent financial management.

Our Infrastructure Strategy

Our Infrastructure Strategy sets out the 30 year plan for maintaining and improving levels of service for three waters, land transport, landfill and solid waste, and places and open spaces. 

Our water bylaws

How should we charge industry and business to dispose tradewaste into our stormwater network?  Should we introduce a policy for all new build homes to have a water tank that captures roof water? Have your say on these issues and more.

Frequently asked questions

If you have a question that's not covered below, come along to one of our information events, speak to your local councillor or email us at facingthefacts@chbdc.govt.nz

The (LTP) sets out what the Council's activities, costs and required revenue and rates are, for the next ten years. We review our LTP every three years, and are currently developing our LTP 2021-2031

Council will consider and make its decisions about the Long Term Plan after submission hearings in April. The finalised Long Term Plan must be adopted by the end of June and will be available on the website in July.   

The Council has a set of measures that it reports to the community about delivery of services for each of its activities. These measures are included in the Long Term Plan and we report on them annually in the Annual Report. These can be found in the Supporting Information - Groups of Activities and Performance Measures. 

Yes! You can call or email councillors directly or speak to them face to face at one our engagement events. Your councillors are very keen to hear your feedback.  

Yes. Councillors have already taken notice of what the community had to say through Project Thrive and during the pre-engagement phase of developing the LTP. Key themes from this process determined the priorities in the LTP. Your feedback will help councillors make an informaed decision on the LTP.

Your submission will be included in the information given to Council for consideration. Following the submission process we will contact you by email or postal address to inform you of the outcome of the considerations by Council. 

The mix of the different services you are rated for determines the rate increase. For example, if you are connected to water your rates will be different to a rural property that isn't.

Each rate payer will get a copy of the estimated rates for next year, sent to them the week of the 1 March, which will also be available on our website.  

On average urban residents connected to three waters services will see an increase by approximately 320%, or $4500 over the next ten years. This increase is based on assumption if three waters reform does not occur and doesn't account for the impact of growth in the number of connected properties. (see table overside) 

For decades rates have been kept artificially low. This means that many of our assets including parks and playgrounds have not had sufficient investment to keep them fresh and compliant with health and safety standards.  Increases to the general rate are driven by a combination of upgrades to parks and open spaces; revamping the district plan; central government climate change commitments and waste minimisation and management; district wide stormwater management; reduced NZTA subsidies for road maintenance; and district wide animal control services. 

If you have a low income and pay the rates on your home that you live in, you could get a rebate or reduction of up to $620. You will need to complete a form which you will find on the Council website, this is sent to DIA for approval. 

Some entities or indiciduals (for example schools and community groups) may be entitled to reduced rates. This acknowledges the special circumstances of particular ratepayers and provides targeted financial relief to community organisations. Further information can be found on the policies section of our website.

Using debt allows the Council to spread the cost of infrastructure across the life of the asset and the generations of ratepayers that will benefit from these assets.


Debt is paid for within the activities that create the need for the debt, for example a wastewater plant will be paid for by a wastewater targeted rate, and this will only be charged to those who are connected to it. The length of the debt will vary from asset to asset depending on the life expectancy of that asset, and the benefits that that asset creates.

Long Term Plan development timeline

Phase Complete

January - July 2020

MAP, PLAN, ASSESS

  • Create the workplan for developing the Long Term Plan
  • Develop activity plans for our services and operations
  • Assess how our community is growth and change assumptions


Phase Complete

August 2020

LISTENING

Pre-engagement with our community to understand any change in priorities

Phase Complete

July - October 2020

DEVELOPMENT
Develop key policies and strategies 

Phase Complete

October - December 2020

COMPILATION
Create the Consultation Document and Supporting Information

Phase Complete

December 2020 - January 2021

AUDIT
An external audit of the Consultation Document is completed

Phase Complete

March 2021

FORMAL CONSULTATION
Formally engage with, and seek feedback from, our community

Phase in Progress
Current Phase

April - May 2021

HEARINGS AND DELIBERATIONS

Opportunity for the public to present their submissions in person to councillors

Future Phase

June 2021

ADOPTION
Final Audit and adoption of the Long Term Plan

Future Phase

July 2021

COMPLETION
Engage and communicate outcomes with our community