General questions
What is a Ten Year Plan?
Every three years, local authorities, in consultation with their communities, put together a new Ten Year Plan that describes the goals of the Council over the next ten years and the Council's plans to achieve them.
The purpose of long-term plans is to:
- Describe the community outcomes
- Describe the council’s activities
- Provide integrated decision-making and co-ordination of the resources
- Provide a long-term focus
- Provide a basis for accountability to the community
- Provide an opportunity for participation by the public in decision-making
- Processes on activities to be undertaken by the local authority.
- Councils must use a special consultative procedure in adopting and amending these plans.
Ten Year Plans are revised every three years.
What is an activity?
An activity is a good or service provided by or on behalf of the Council. The council currently has 28 different activities. For us to achieve what we have set out to, it is important that the activities and services we deliver align to our direction. Some of our activities are required by legislation. We group our many services into activities and groups of activities. Our activities are outlined in Volume One of the draft 2012-2022 Ten Year Plan.
What are services?
We provide a number of services to a range of customers, including ratepayers. Levels of service refer to the quantum, quality and extent of the service to be delivered. These describe what our customers 'get' for their money. Our levels of services are outlined in Volume One of the draft 2012-2022 Ten Year Plan.
How can I read the draft plan?
You can read a summary of the plan or read the full version here or we can send you a copy by calling us on 07-868-0200 or by email at customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz. Copies are also available at all District Libraries and Service Centres.
Where are the community information sessions being held?
Community Information Sessions were sheduled and held at the following locations:
| Date | Town | Time | Where |
| Thursday, 8 March 2012 |
Whangamata |
From 5pm-7pm
Presentation at 5:45pm |
Whangamata Hall, 326 Port Rd, Whangamata |
| Friday, 9 March 2012 |
Tairua |
From 11am-2pm
Presentation at 12pm |
Tairua Hall Annex, 210 Main Rd, Tairua |
| Friday, 9 March 2012 |
Pauanui |
From 3:30pm-6:30pm
Presentation at 4:30pm |
Pauanui Fire Station, 60 Jubilee Drive, Pauanui |
| Sunday, 11 March 2012 |
Mercury Bay |
From 10am-1pm
Presentation at 11am |
Mercury Bay Hall, 24 Monk St, Whitianga |
| Monday 12 March 2012 |
Coromandel |
From 5pm-7pm
Presentation at 5:45pm |
Coromandel Service Centre Boardroom, 355 Kapamga Rd, Coromandel |
| Tuesday, 13 March 2012 |
Thames |
From 5pm-7pm
Presentation at 5:45pm |
Thames Council Chamber, 515 Mackay Street, Thames |
What about changes to my rates?
Find out what the draft plan does to your rates (in year 1) compared to this financial year by using our rates calculator. For more information please read the draft plan or summary document.
How can I “Have My Say” about the draft plan?
We want to hear from you about our draft plan and invite you to “make a submission” (this is just a form to write on so you can tell us what you think). We have submission forms available at all of our District Libraries and Service Centres, or we can send one out to you. You can also make a submission online.
What’s a Hearing?
If you have sent in a written submission, you can also choose to present it at a meeting called a Hearing. At one of these meetings, your elected members will listen to you present your submission in person. If you don’t want to present your thoughts at a Hearing, that’s ok too. Your elected members will receive a copy of every submission to read as well. The public can attend the Hearings to watch proceedings.
When are the Hearings?
From 9am at:
- Thames – Friday, 11 May 2012 in the Council Chambers, Thames
- Coromandel/Colville – Wednesday, 9 May 2012 at the Coromandel Service Centre
- Mercury Bay – Monday, 7 May 2012 at the Mercury Bay Service Centre, Whitianga
- Tairua/Pauanui – Thursday, 10 May 2012 at the Lakes Resort, Pauanui
What are Essential Services?
Essential Services is a term that we are using to describe the following activities: water supply, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste and district transportation. We are of the view that these five activities are essential to the functioning of our communities.
There is no mention of SNAs (Significant Natural Areas) in the draft Ten Year plan?
SNAs do not form part of the draft Ten Year Plan. They are part of the District Plan review process which is a separate process. Please refer to our website for more information about this project.
Why hasn't Council budgeted for mitigation works in Moanataiari?
At the time of writing this draft Ten Year Plan we are yet to determine the cost implications that this Council and our communities may be asked to contribute for any remediation works for Moanataiari. Please refer to our website for more information about this project.
What is the Council doing about earthquake prone buildings?
We have commenced a review to identify which buildings and assets may be earthquake prone in line with our current earthquake policy. It is anticipated that the findings from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority review will likely have an impact on our approach to earthquake prone buildings in the future.
What is the Development Contributions Policy?
The Development Contributions Policy is a policy adopted by the Council under the Local Government Act 2002. It allows the Council to require cash contributions when new development occurs. The Council then uses the funds collected to carry out capital works caused by or benefiting that development, for the following services:
- Transportation,
- Community infrastructure, such as parks, libraries, public conveniences, harbours and solid waste facilities,
- Water supply,
- Wastewater,
- Stormwater,
- Reserves (for residential development only).
Development contributions may be payable on any new development or subdivision or when someone applies for a building consent or a service connection. The rationale is that the developer who is increasing the demand on Council services should pay for it.
What are the changes being proposed to the Development Contributions Policy?
These are minor changes to improve the administration of the Development Contributions Policy. A separate summary and feedback form is also available and you are invited to submit on this.
What happens next?
Your Councillors will consider all of the submissions and then decide on any amendments to the draft and then adopt (sign-off) a Ten Year Plan by 30 June 2012 at a Council meeting.
How can I stay up-to-date with Council’s final decisions?
Sign up to receive our eNewsletters and find out about everything that happens at Council and Community Board meetings or go to www.twitter.com and look for us at Our_Coromandel.
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