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.	STRONG>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

The district's economic growth will be secured through diversification. At present the district economy is mainly driven 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 from the Opotiki mussel 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
District Plan review and implementation
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 for residents will be underpinned by Council's core services such as water, stormwater, sewerage, roads and waste management. These services will be complemented by facilities that promote community well-being including park and recreation facilities and libraries.

Council will work with other relevant agencies to ensure their services enhance the quality of life for residents. This includes 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 native 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

Strong Community Spirit

Opotiki will be 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 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 two yearly awards for achievers and volunteers, 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, mussel farm and settlement of particular Treaty 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 a 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 and the revitalisation of historic buildings. The historic precinct will become a major visitor attraction that residents are proud of.

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

Priorities for Council action

Bi-annual community awards and day
Promotion and support for community events
Creation of new events centre

Environmental Quality

We are proud of our natural environment. The maintenance and enhancement of environmental quality is therefore an important part of the district's future. 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 and operating expenditure.

Strategic Projects ($000)

		06/07	07/08	08/09	09/10	10/11	11/12	12/13	13/14	14/15	15/16
Opotiki Harbour Development	Capex			212	382	7819	6858
Te Kaha Resource Recovery Centre	Capex	160
Events Centre	Capex							6010
Historic Precinct Development	Opex	10	5	5	5	6	6	6	6	6	6
Seal Extension	Capex	216	240	189	258	186	145	284	357	291	402
Public Library Review	Opex	15
Growth Management Strategy	Opex	5	10	5
Town to Beach walkway	Capex			425

Opotiki Harbour Development

It is proposed to create a reliable entrance to the Opotiki Harbour in order to:

Increase the overall social, economic and cultural wellbeing of the Opotiki community and the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Enhance recreation opportunities and public access to the coast
Capitalise on opportunities arising from the proposed offshore Opotiki mussel farm
Mitigate flooding on the Opotiki town and surrounding area
Achieve a long held community aspiration and a high priority Community Outcome

It is expected that consent approvals will take until 2009 and construction will occur between 2009 - 2012.

District Plan Review

The Opotiki District Plan became operative on 22 nd September 2005. Section 79 of the Resource Management act requires Council to undertake a full review of the District Plan not later than ten years after it became operative. Depending on the outcome of the proposed Growth Management Strategy and progress on the proposed harbour entrance and mussel farm this review may need to be undertaken within the next five years to accommodate these potentially significant changes.

New Te Kaha Resource Recovery Centre

In the 2006/07 year a Resource Recovery Centre will be established at Te Kaha at a cost of $160 000.

New Community Events Centre

An indoor sports venue that will accommodate cultural performances is planned for Memorial Park. It will have outdoor terraced seating for viewing the sports fields and sports courts. This venue will replace the current netball pavilion building.

New Town to Beach Walkway

A high level of support has been expressed both from within Council and the community for the establishment of a walkway from the town area to Waiotahi Beach. This proposal has not yet been confirmed and will be fully investigated within the Walking and Cycling Strategy to be developed in 2008/09. At this point funding options for investigation include Land Transport New Zealand, Development Contributions and the Lotteries Fund.

Historic Precinct Development (Town Centre)

The Opotiki Historic Heritage Study has been completed and will be available in March/April 2006. The next steps entail securing further funding to aid the implementation of a Heritage Trail through the town centre and to assist in providing guidance and technical advice to historic building owners seeking to maintain and improve their buildings.

Public Toilet Programme

Over the next ten years Council will upgrade existing public toilet facilities throughout the district. Council will also provide new toilets at Waiotahi Drifts and the Ohiwa boat ramp; these sites have been identified through public demand.

Seal Extension Programme

It is proposed that the seal extension programme be continued. This will be dependent on the level of Land Transport NZ funding and development contributions (roading) received and on the value of depreciation.

Public Library Review

To ensure that the library service and resources improve over the next ten years a review of the library is currently underway. A sum of $257 250 has been set aside in 2007/08 for either a new building or the construction of a second story on the existing building.

Opotiki Township Sewage Reticulation

Over the next ten years the Council will upgrade sewage reticulation pipes to reduce storm water infiltration. The cost of this project is $50 000 per year.

Water Supply Upgrades

Upgrades to the water supplies in the district are required so that they comply with the new drinking water standards which came into effect on 31 st December 2005.

Growth Management Strategy

The Council will look at a growth management strategy to promote and maintain sustainable growth during the next ten years. It is important for the district that Council recognises the growth implications that development proposals such as the proposed mussel farm and its associated development may have on the area. Results of the growth management strategy will require changes to the District Plan.

Major Changes in Council Activities

The following are significant proposals by Council as defined by Council's Significance Policy.

Exit of provision of pensioner housing
Our elderly are an important part of our community. We want to ensure they receive appropriate accommodation and care.

Council has provided housing for the elderly in need since 1967. A recent review questioned if Council's services met todays expectations for the elderly. It also raised concerns about the standard of Council's 14 pensioner housing units and quality of care tenants received.

Council considered a number of options available and the resulting impacts including: continuing to provide the existing level of service; upgrading the facilities; a joint venture with private providers; lease or outright sale of the facilities. Proposals from private providers to increase the number of housing units and services for elderly were also taken into account.

It is agreed that there is a need to improve the standard of facilities and level of service provided by Council to the elderly. Currently there is an adequate number of units available to pensioners in the Opotiki District with one unit provided for every 17 people over the age of 65. Private sector development is likely to continue to meet the increasing demand for units and services in the future.

An upgrade of the existing facilities would see an unwelcome increase in rental and further measures would be required to address the issue of providing care for those tenants who require it. Sale of a strategic asset should be approached with consideration of future development and investment options.

Council proposed the exit of the provision of pensioner housing and the sale of the Kowhai Court pensioner housing facillity in the the Draft Community Plan and consultation was carried out through the Community Plan process.

A total of 23 submissions on pensioner housing were received of which six advocated partnerships for the provision of care be sought, five advocating sale of the property, six were for retention of the property and continued provision of service, two supported exit of service to the elderly and retention of the property and four highlighted consideration of the future needs of the elderly.

In response to submissions and considerations Council resolved to instruct the Chief Executive Officer to investigate an exit strategy with the proviso that existing tenants are provided for. Over the next twelve months both sale and lease options will be considered and provision for existing tenants will be made. A sale or lease agreement will be entered into before June 2007.

Our elderly are an important part of our community. We want to ensure they receive appropriate accommodation and care?

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.