The Local Government Act 2002 endeavours to strengthen local democracy and ensure the ongoing well-being of communities. It is designed to make it easier for all people to have a say in how their district develops and it ensures that the powers that be are listening.

What is a community outcome?

The Community Outcomes were created by the people of Opotiki District with the help of Opotiki District Council. There are seven clear goals that when combined, create a picture of how we, the community, want our district to be in the year 2016 and beyond. Our outcomes embrace all aspects of life in Opotiki District - social, environmental, cultural and economic issues have been discussed and considered by all those who contribute to the wellbeing of our district. They create a picture of what we are aiming for, an idea of how we will achieve it and a plan for measuring our progress.

The outcomes shape the future and form a basis of how all the major players in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, including the Opotiki District Council, conduct their business in Opotiki in the future. Every three years council will engage the community in a review process where progress toward achieving the outcomes will be monitored. Every six years through consultation meetings and surveys, Council and the community will review the outcomes to ensure they are still the goals we wish to achieve.

How were they developed?

Throughout February 2005 the community held a series of meetings throughout the district and a postal survey to collect all the thoughts and ideas of people in our communities. We also joined forces with Kawerau, Whakatane and Environment Bay of Plenty to collect thoughts from the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty and we worked with government agencies, Iwi and community groups to develop our plan for the future.

As a community we considered the four well-being areas which re defined by the Local Government Act as social, cultural, economic and environmental.  We discussed the impacts the future could have on these well-beings using media and advertising campaigns, stakeholder meetings, public presentations, workshops and hui, Eastern Bay and Opotiki District surveys and person to person contact.

During this period we found that generally, people had similar levels of interest in all four wellbeing areas.  They wanted to know that the culture would be preserved through sport, art, historic perservation, cultural interchange and acknowledgement of the community spirit.  They wanted to see the economy develop and support initiatives that increased employment, training, spending and investment in the district and they expressed concern for the preservation and enhancement of the district, national and global environment.

The social well-being of the district is of great concern to most residents.  People wanted to see strong families, active and involved young people, the elderly happy and well cared for and improvements in basic facilities for such things as health, education and community amenities.

Opotiki District Council gathered the community comment and endeavoured to encapsulate the wishes of the community in seven draft community outcomes.  These were then amended, approved and prioritised by district survey then launched at a special event in June 2005.

Measuring Progress

If we are to keep up a steady pace toward our goals we need to keep track of our progress. Some of the ways we measure our progress are listed under each outcome.  More methods will become clear as we continue to work together to achieve the same goals.

There are a number of measurement methods already available to us. Government agencies can provide data and statistics on a wide range of issues and Council also measures various aspects of the district through meetings, focus groups, resident surveys and activity monitoring. Statistics New Zealand is also able to provide vital information from the five yearly census.

We will continue to look for new measurement methods and to develop a monitoring plan that will help keep us on track to creating a future that we have designed.

The first monitoring report was produced in June 2008 using facts and figures gathered by the regional monitoring group and feedback from a community survey.

The results of the community survey undertaken in 2008, show that most people agree that progress is being made towards achieving the community outcomes.

Development and protection of the natural environment

Services and facilities meet our needs

Fair and efficient leadership

A strong and distinctive community spirit

Purposeful work and learning opportunities

Development supports the community

History and culture is treasured

Working together to further community outcomes

Strategic planning documents important to community outcomes