Grey Power TDC Candidates Forum - schedule of questions: 1. The Local Government Amendment Act 2012 requires Councils in future to focus on Core services and to be financially prudent – As current debt is projected to increase from $155m to $310 m how do you see Council meeting the new focus requirements? Answer: I think we need to look to alternative funding models such as PPPs (public private partnerships) when it comes to large infrastructure projects. TDC justifies its large debt as intergenerational equity synonymous with sustainable development but it’s only sustainable if it doesn’t restrict future generations for their future infrastructure needs. Interesting that TDC has just been given an AA credit rating which is the same as NCC which is much smaller. TDC’s debt is the fifth largest in NZ but a comparison with other districts doesn’t paint such a bleak picture. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is too high already and we must begin to look at being more sustainable in the way TDC does things. 2. Explain how you see that future rate increases can be kept to the minimum while at the same time allowing Tasman to grow bearing in mind that developers of new subdivisions will not be required to fund downstream upgrades under new Government regulations. Answer: Rate increases should be to service debt rather than being spent on non-essential activities. We must learn to live within our means and look to sustainable growth, not growth at any cost. I believe growth should ideally be a result of surplus. 3. In March 2013 Council asked Ratepayers what kind of high density housing might work in Richmond –what is your view about this. Answer: High density housing in Richmond is essential if we don’t want to encroach on arable land. High density doesn’t have to mean unattractive or gated communities. Good quality housing can contribute to economic growth because people want to live there. 4. Now that 2 new major retail developments are to proceed in Richmond what do you think Council should do to support those existing retailers whose business will undoubtedly be affected. Answer: I don’t believe council should be involved in decisions around what retailers can come to town. Shoppers make these decisions every time they open their wallets. If the community doesn’t want these large retailers in town then they have to shop with their heads and buy local which I fully support. 5. What do you consider Council should do to better communicate with its ratepayers before major decisions are made? Answer: Well I think TDC is getting better about this as two issues around rural land use that I wrote to the newspaper about were put out again for further public consultation however the attendances at these public meetings are generally quite low which says to me that the community really has to change the way it lobbies if it really wants to do something. Just the fact that slightly less than half the eligible voters actually vote says there’s too much apathy out there with only a few having to shout to be heard. I was concerned though when Keith Marshall I think it was wrote in the Mail, that TDC have actually limited the amount of public consultation and being less transparent so it is something I will be asking questions on should I be elected. 6. In 2001 the NZ Positive Ageing Strategy was introduced by the Government and it proposed a collaboration between central and local government intended to develop local action plans to improve the wellbeing of older persons – As TDC administers this initiative what are your observations about how effective this strategy has been ? Answer: To be honest living rurally I don’t see at lot about this in my community as country people generally tend to really look after each other which is one of the reasons I love living where I do. However I see other local communities such as Brightwater and Wakefield getting behind initiatives such as this and I hope funding isn’t cut back on services like this in a bid to reduce rate increases. Reading the policy on this and more recently the minutes of the meeting in May 2013 it all sounds really positive but generally it is the people in this age group that do the hard yards and getting the younger people in the community involved is essential. 7. Now that Council will be faced with closely examining all items of expenditure in future budgets how do you see that will affect the provision and maintenance of recreation facilities. Answer: I think the district has really good recreation facilities overall and certainly maintaining these are important. I teach Pilates exercise classes for the over 50’s (and others) and the facilities I use to teach these are generally well maintained but under utilised. We don’t have to have the newest facilities to be good, I believe in reusing things, second-hand and patches.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 02:55:20 +0000
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