Carterton Councillors made the annual rates resolution, agreed to our annual plan, made a decision on the District animal facility, and considered our recent project review on major projects as part of an extensive final meeting of the 2022-23 financial year [Wednesday 29 June].
Rates Resolution and Annual Plan 2022-2023
Councillors resolved to adopt the Annual Plan 2022-23 at the June 29 meeting.
The 2022-23 Draft Annual plan, published in March, recommended a 6% rise in average rates. We have not added any additional projects from the 2021/31 Long Term Plan which we consulted on last year.
However, we did invite residents of the community to provide feedback before the plan was finalised. Having considered all feedback and making changes to the Plan, the average rates rise is now 5.75%.
We have worked to ensure that we can keep rates increases to a minimum, despite significant pressure from inflation, while still delivering all our core services in the community and remaining financially prudent.
What’s in the Plan?
- Installation of the new pool slide.
- Year 2 of the 3-year roading programme.
- Wastewater and water renewals.
- Town Centre car park and depot relocation.
- IT projects.
- District Plan Review.
- Wastewater Treatment Ponds Upgrade.
GWRC Rates
CDC rates do not include Greater Wellington Regional Council [GWRC] charges. GWRC has set their overall average rate increase for 2022-23 of 12.27%. With targeted rates for Carterton, this raises the average in this District to 15%.
Visit gwrc.govt.nz/your-rates for more information.
Recommendations Following Independent Review On The Wastewater Ponds Upgrade And The Clocktower Remediation Projects
A report was put to Council at its Ordinary Council meeting on 29 June 2022 with recommendations on how to implement the advice contained in the independent review on the Wastewater Ponds Upgrade Project and the Clocktower Project. This review was undertaken by Calibre Consulting Ltd and was tabled at the Audit and Risk Committee meeting on 19 May 2022. The Calibre review identified 8 lessons with associated recommendations.
In response to the findings, Officers will develop a Project Management Guideline to guide staff and contractors through the various stages of a project. The guidelines will have a summarised flowchart with various actions and decision points that will require staff to identify, address and manage specific risks.
These recommendations were around the following four keys points:
- Project Scope
- Risk Assessment
- Flowchart
- Project Management
These recommendations were adopted at the 29 June Ordinary Council meeting and the guidelines will be developed this calendar year. The Council will be reviewing current projects to fall in line with what will be developed. CDC is taking steps to meet recommendations from an independent review of recent projects. We are developing new Project Management Guidelines for staff and contractors.
The Guidelines will not only address the findings but improve our overall delivery of projects. Council’s Procurement Policy will also be reviewed for alignment and consistency.
We are confident these will be in place by the end of 2022.
Animal Facility
In March, the Council started work at the Dalefield Road site for a new animal facility. The existing facility is no longer fit for purpose and does not meet the current legislative requirements.
Council received a report at its June 29 Ordinary Council meeting outlining that a further $229,000 would be needed to complete the project. This would take the total to $599,000.
At this stage, construction hasn’t begun, only groundworks and draft architectural plans.
Council resolved to defer the project and instructed the CEO to engage with Masterton and South Wairarapa District Councils’ CEOs to develop a business case for a single joint Wairarapa Animal Control Facility. The CEO would present this to Council by 31 August.
If the business case has not sufficiently progressed by 31 August, Council would consider changing the design of the Animal Shelter to fit within an existing cookie-cutter style design. The total cost of this option would be $549,000 [including contingency of 20% or $94,000 an increase of $179,000].
The following points were also discussed:
- Expansion of Land-Based Discharge of Treated Wastewater at Daleton Farm
- Three Waters Reform Better off Funding Package
- Eastern Growth Area
- 2022 Residents’ Survey
- Three Waters Reform Update
- 2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report
- Submission on the Ministry for the Environment’s draft National Adaptation Plan
Councillors next meet on Wednesday 3 August.