1. Do you support the flood diversion scheme for North Clyde recommended by Crown Manager Lawrence Yule, the Regional Council and current Wairoa Council?
Absolutely yes, it is a crucial step towards protecting the North Clyde residents and improving the community’s resilience to future flooding events. The work is still being undertaken to ensure that the details will deliver the protection that is required. Continued work is needed to develop a long-term solution for the management of the river mouth, alongside this work.
2. Name 2-3 specific WDC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.
Cyclone Gabrielle created additional spending in repairs and emergency works, but under the circumstance’s I believe council handled it very well. As a current councilor there are no red flags that cause great concern however, the ongoing cost of external consultants throughout the council needs continued scrutiny. Policies are regularly worked through and updated at council meetings.
3. What Council spending or other initiatives would you support to improve Wairoa’s economic well-being?
First and foremost, the flood protection scheme and river mouth work needs to be delivered to ensure a strong economic future for Wairoa to enable us to retain and attract industry. This work will also give residents certainty to reinvest in their own district. Supporting affordable housing in partnership with other organisation ‘s to help those affected from the two-flood events transition from temporary accommodation and cabins to fully repaired homes.
4. Unlike Napier, Hastings and CHB Councils (who are forming a joint water entity), Wairoa Council has decided to ‘go it alone’ with respect to delivering water services. Do you agree?
Yes, I agree with Wairoa District Council’s decision. The Wairoa community has already seen what detrimental impacts in removing core services from Wairoa can have in the district and the negative impact it can have with our social and economic wellbeing. The protection of localised arrangements, such as the water partnership with local processing plant AFFCO, is another important reason in my decision to opt for a single council controlled organisation which may not be considered as a priority in a regional deal. A single Council Controlled Organisation provides Wairoa with more flexibility to collaborate and cooperate with other water entities from other districts once established.
5. Most WDC debt relates to the need to maintain and improve its water assets, with significant improvement required. Should WDC step up it’s borrowing to make these improvements?
Proportionally, and to a level that will not impact heavily on the ratepayer.
6. WDC current policy aims to limit rate increases to 5%. But this assumed WDC joined a regional water services entity, off-loading current debt and borrowing costs, which it has now declined to do (as noted above). Do you believe WDC rate increases can be kept to 5%? How?
This will be a challenge, but an ideal goal for the council to work to.
7. Do you believe councils’ rates should be ‘capped’ by legislation?
A Rates cap ultimately limit council investment and could affect existing levels of service but in terms of transparency for residents and wasteful spending it prevents unexpected rate hikes. I believe rate hikes could be capped to a relevant inflationary marker, like the consumer price index (CPI).
8. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any form?
We love our district and have the greatest respect for all the other councils in Hawkes Bay. I have yet to see a proposal that fits well for Wairoa, and the wider region but I am always open to new ideas.
9. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?
Yes, this would be something worth consideration especially after the considerable strain put upon all Hawkes Bay council’s post Cyclone Gabrielle.
