Vision and Direction

Having worked with the community to develop community outcomes, Council now has to make decisions about how it will contribute to achieving those outcomes.

The following framework has been adopted to determine Council's priorities and future direction:

Vision - a clear statement on what Council aspires to achieve
Values - the foundation for policies and actions
Strategy - a future scenario to help set priorities for Council action

Council's Vision for the district is: 'Strong Community - Strong Future'.

Council holds and promotes the following values:

Ngakau- tapatahi me te Pononga Kaore matou a marie i a matou uaratanga a, ka mahi i roto i te huatanga matatika i nga wa katoa.	Integrity and Honesty We will not compromise our values and will act in a trustworthy manner at all times.
Manakuratanga Ka kakama matou i roto i nga take e pa ana ki to tatou iwi whanui ma te whakahaere tikanga, ma te kanohi, kai tautoko arahitanga me te whakaaro.	Leadership We will take an active role in issues that effect our community by providing governance, representation, advocacy, guidance and opinion.
Mahorahora me nga Herenga Ka whakahaeretia a matou mahi i roto i te aria kia kitea ai e te iwi whanui a, kia mohiotia a matou mahinga me nga tutukitanga me te whakaae ano mo aua kawenga.	Openness and Accountability We will conduct our affairs in a way that allows the community to see and understand our actions and achievements and we will accept responsibility for them.
Tokeke me te Ture o te Tika Ka mahi matou ia hua ai ka orite te whiwhi mea angitu o te katoa me te noho tokeke i roto i iaga whakatinanatanga o uga kaupapa.	Fairness and Equity We will act to ensure all have equal opportunities and that we will be unbiased in the implementation of policies.
Whakatutukitanga Whakawaiatanga Ka whiwhi hua i roto i te auaha me te ngawaritanga.	Achievements Orientated We will gain results in a timely, innovative and economic manner.
Tikanga Tutohungatanga Ka manako matou i te wahi motuhake o te Tangata Whenua i roto i te iwi whanui a me te whakarite ano i nga kitenga rereketanga, me nga uaratanga o to tatou iwi whanui.	Relationships We will acknowledge the special place of Tangata Whenua in our community and respect the different views and values of our community.
Tumanako Manawareka Ka ahei tonu matou kia mohio ki nga tumanako o to tatou iwi kainga me te whakamatau kia taea te tairanga teitei o te whakanatanga o te iwi whanui.	Satisfying Expectations We will always look to understand our community's expectations and try to achieve a high level of community satisfaction.

The community has identified the outcomes it wants for the future and in response Council has established a number of strategic priorities.

What are the most important projects that Council needs to focus on for at least the next three years? What projects will take this district forward and give the best return for the ratepayer's dollar?

Council has considered these issues and has developed the following future scenario to help set priorities for Council action.

There are four distinctive focus areas to the strategy:

Economic Growth
While the Opotiki District comprises 3% of the Bay of Plenty population, our economy only contributes 1.7% to the gross domestic product of the region. Economic growth that creates sustainable employment and respects environmental qualities is the district's highest priority. Economic growth will be secured through diversification. At present the district economy is mainly diriven by the primary industries of agriculture and horticulture.

The primary sector will grow through increased kiwifruit production, particularly in the Coast Ward, and through new value added industries being created.

The proposed Opotiki Harbour entrance will be constructed within the life of this plan enabling the landing and processing of mussels and other products from the Opotiki marine farm. This will provide a platform for sustained economic growth in the district, as businesses develop to take advantage of this new infrastructure. Operations such as charter boats, commercial fishing, retail and accommodation will increase as a result of improved access and demand.

Tourism will also be a growth industry for the district as the benefits of a number of initiatives bear fruit. District promotions, events, and an increasing number and quality of attractions including the branding and development of the town centre as a historic precinct will create a new level of interest in our district.

Priorities for Council action

Opotiki Harbour Development
Providing visitor and business investment information and support
Supporting local and regional business growth and workforce development
Promotion of activities to increase visitors, including historic precinct development

Quality of Life
The quality of life of individuals must continue to improve if a community is to be sustainable. The quality of life for Opotiki residents will be underpinned by Council's core services such as water, stormwater, sewerage, roads and solid waste management. These services will be complemented by facilities that promote community well-being, including park and recreation facilities and libraries.

Council will also work with other relevant agencies to ensure their services enhance the quality of life for residents. This includes policing, health, education, housing and other social service providers.

Quality of life will be enhanced by the lifestyle opportunities provided by the district's beautiful natural environment. The outstanding Ohiwa Harbour and numerous river systems, beautiful beaches, stunning coastal views, extensive indigeous vegetation, strong communities and cultural richness will continue to attract residents and visitors alike.

The development of the economy and employment opportunities will also bring about improvements in the quality of life for residents.

Priorities for Council action

Provision of infrastructure e.g. roads, water, stormwater, waste management
Increasing the quality of parks and recreation facilities
Advocacy with and on behalf of Opotiki communities to central government
Upgrading library services
Walkways and cycleway enhancements
Support initiatives for development in the Coast Ward.

Strong Community Spirit
An existing strength of the Opotiki district is the strong community spirit. This is often reflected in the high levels of volunteerism on mare, organising events, or running local clubs and community initiatives. However, Opotiki is not immune to global trends such as declining volunteerism, increasing disconnection of individuals and families, and increasing crime. A sustainable community requires a strong community spirit.

Opotiki will be well known for its strong community spirit. Communities will retain their own distinctive identities whilst undertaking activities that support and enhance the collective wellbeing of the district's community. Overall, Opotiki will continue to have communities that care for themselves and others.

Council will continue its role in fostering strong communities by sponsoring community initiatives, organising the awards for achievers and volunteers every 2 years, and enhancing the quality of life of residents. With economic growth there will be an increased number of community events and activities to foster community spirit.

The harbour development, marine farm and settlement of outstanding Treaty of Waitangi claims will increase the vitality of the community. Opotiki will be a place where people feel good living, working, shopping, or enjoying recreational activities.

There will be greater appreciation amongst visitors and the general public about the cultural richness of the district through increased cultural tourism, with marae stays and cultural tours. The historic values of the town centre will also be highlighted with the creation of an historic precinct will become a major visitor attraction that residents will be proud of.

Council will continue to implement its Recreation Strategy, creating new recreation facilities for both residents and visitors.

Priorities for Council action

Bi-annual community awards and day
Promotion and support for community events

Environmental Quality
Another major strength of the Opotiki district is the high quality of its environment. Over 80% of the district is in native vegetation and there are 13 major rivers and 160km or over half the Bay of Plenty coastline within the council's boundaries.

We are proud of our natural environment. The maintenance and enhancement of environmental quality is therefore an important part of the district's future and a key focus area for the district strategy.

Our unique harbour, bush, rivers, beaches, landscapes and associated activities such as swimming, fishing, diving, hunting, walking, biking and kayaking, are major attractions for residents and visitors.

Priorities will be the creation of facilities and infrastructure to optimise the use and enjoyment of natural resources while protecting the natural environment. The Opotiki Harbour development project and implementation of the recreation strategy will continue. Council will also, with the community, continue to identify and action environmental enhancement projects.

Priorities for Council action

District Plan review and implementation
Creation of the Town Centre as an historic precinct
Maintenance and enhancement of parks and reserves
Partnership with community groups and Environment BOP to undertake environmental restoration projects

Strategic Projects

Council will ensure an integrated view is taken on decisions about the allocation and management of resources. Council will seek connections between projects and partnerships with other agencies to maximise value for money from its activities.

This section lists strategic projects or projects with long term impacts.

Council has considered a range of strategic projects for inclusion in the Community Plan and will undertake those listed below during the next 10 years. Some of these are also considered to be 'significant activities' as defined by Council's significance policy.

Some strategic projects have ongoing operational costs that will impact on rates. The information on each project therefore provides details of capital expenditure (Capex) and operating expenditure (Opex).

Strategic Projects ($000)

		09/10	10/11	11/12	12/13	13/14	14/15	15/16	16/17	17/18	18/19
Sports & Events Centre	Capex						9184
Memorial Park Pavilion	Capex			535
Library Upgrade	Capex	400
Coast Initiatives	Opex	30	31	32	33	34	34	35	37	37	38
Opotiki Sewerage Upgrade	Capex	490	81	485	72	282
Walkways	Capex		26	80	27	28	29	29	30	31	31

This table above does not include the Harbour Development Project. When Council has gained resource consents required for the project and funding has been secured the project will cost some $42.75 million spread over 2010/11 to 2013/14 financial years. Current details on this project can be found within the economic development group of activites in part two of the LTCCP.

Development Contributions Policy
Since 2004 new development (e.g. houses; subdivisions) have been paying a contribution towards the total capital cost of new recreation facilities and the sealing of the district roading network. It is proposed that this continue at similar levels whereby each 'unit of development' (e.g. new house) will pay $2038 plus GST towards new recreation facilities and $837 plus GST towards the district roading network. Payment of development contributions may be made by the developers or by building or land use consent applicants.

With new development comes increasing demand and pressures on Council infrastructure. Around 750 new houses (or housing equivalents) are expected over the next ten years. This equates to 21% growth and, therefore, new development is being asked to contribute 21% of the estimated costs of the planned recreation facilities and roading improvements throughout the district. The remainder of the costs will either come from rates or external grants.

Facility	Estimated Total Cost	Total Development Contribution (21%)
Ohiwa Loop Rd Toilet	$70 000	$14 500
Waiotahi Drifts Playground & Toilet	$100 000	$21 000
Events Centre	$5 830 000	$1 224 300
Waioeka Domain Pavilion	$470 000	$98 500
Maraetai Bay	$80 000	$16 800

Rating Differentials - effect on rates
Council's general rate is based on differentials on area of rating unit. Units between 25 and 100 ha pay 1.15 times the rate of units less than 25 ha. Units over 100 ha pay 1.2 times the rate of units less than 25 ha. These differential rating factors have reduced from 2005/06 when the differentials were 1.2 times for rating units 25 to 100 ha and 1.25 times for rating units over 100 ha.

To address the variation in rates it is Councils intention to continue to phase out the differentials over time.

Tourism and Promotions Rate
The Promotions and Development rate has been levied by Council for approximately eight years. The purpose of the rate is to provide funding towards visitor promotion and it is levied on properties where the land use is commercial or industrial and also on properties where there is a permitted activity relating to recreation, entertainment and visitor accommodation. A recent review has found additional properties could meet the rates criteria. Some properties operate small businesses such as farm stay or bed and breakfast as an ancillary activity.

Levels of service
The standard of service Council provides is dictated by the operating budget it has to work with. In striving to reduce the cost of our rates we sometimes reduce the level or standard of service. The Council constantly struggles with the questions "How much is enough?" and "Is what we want what we can afford?" Compared to other local authorities, council achieves a very low rate for service and focuses on activities that provide maximum benefit to the wider community as well as support for smaller sector groups.

The current and planned future levels of service provided by council are detailed in the activity plans that follow. Major changes in the level of service include the appointment of an event support officer to assist community event organisers with the valuable work they provide. Also supporting the events sector will be the development of a Community Events Centre which will provide an appropriate venue for a variety of events, sports and community recreation and activities. An upgrade and extension of the Visitor Information Office is planned to improve the presentation of our district to the visitor and the seal extension programme will continue to see the districts rural roads improved at a steady rate.

Financial Implications
All strategic projects and significant proposals and the levels of service have been factored into the various activities later in this document. There are a mix of funding sources ranging from external grants for much of the harbour development and event centre, loan for the Te Kaha RRC, rates for the operating expenditure projects and depreciation is the main funding source for the public toilet and seal extension programmes. Development contribution also assists in the funding of the Event Centre, various public toilets and the seal extension programme.

Given these funding sources there is little initial impact on rates. Over time the operating costs and debt repayment will undoubtedly effect rates but this will not be dramatic as the rating increases over the term of this plan are only marginally ahead of predicted inflation.