Ashburton adopts long-term plan

Ashburton’s long–term plan and its opening 11.8% average rate rise was adopted by the council on Wednesday.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said it had been a “mammoth piece of work” over 18 months to compile the 10-year planning document.

The plan was adopted with unanimous support and followed extensive consultation that resulted in changes to the plan – contrasting with suggestions councillors had already made their minds up, Brown said.

“We have listened to the community.”

Deputy mayor Liz McMillan said they considered everything the huge number of submissions put forward.

“We now have a long-term plan to take us into the future.”

The plan carries an 11.8% average rate increase in the 2024/25 year.

It also locked in the introduction of kerbside green waste collection in 2026, a managed exit of stockwater services by June 2027, a $23.7 million three-court for EA Networks Centre in 2029-30, and to retain Balmoral Hall for two more years and develop a car park on the former polytech site.

Environment Canterbury also adopted its long-term plan with an average rates rise of 17.9% by a 12-3 vote on Wednesday.

The plan focuses on ensuring the region’s rivers are resilient to flooding in the face of climate change and developing a ‘‘world class’’ public transport system for greater Christchurch.

Mid Canterbury councillor Ian Mackenzie voted in support of plan, but said he still had concerns.

“We have too much of a culture of throwing money at something and being proud that we are doing something without considering it is a good investment.

“I believe another 3% could have come out (of the plan) without blinking.”

By Jonathan Leask