Annual Plan 2023/2024 – Successful hearing and deliberations

Elected members met on Wednesday 7 June to hear, deliberate and decide on the submissions received during the public consultation on the Annual Plan 2023/2024. While it was a long day of discussion, Council is satisfied that the final plan will be beneficial to the community. Final amendments are being made to the plan to determine the overall average rate increase. Council agreed that three waters depreciation will not be funded and the overall average rate increase is likely to be close to the 0.07%  proposed in the draft Annual Plan. The main driver of the changes that people will see in their rates is from the increase in the general rates, which is used to fund most Council activities. This plan will be adopted by Council at an extraordinary meeting on 30 June 2023.

At the conclusion of the Annual Plan Hearing the following decisions were made:

• Council adopted the preferred rates model of: 20% UAGC with Rural differential reduced from 1 to 0.95, and Rural Residential differential reduced from 0.75 to 0.7.
• Council agreed to build a permanent public toilet block at Otira and fund ongoing caretaking, cleaning, and maintenance.
• Maintain the 2022/2023 Fees and Charges for the Carnegie Gallery, Hokitika Museum, and Venue Hire rates, and review charges during the Long-Term Plan process.
• Support the one-off funding of $80k that has been allocated to the Heritage Park to resolve sewage to main system and other deficiencies on site.
• Installation of the Tourism Infrastructure signage to proceed providing the Tourism Infrastructure Fund application is successful.
• A Business Case for the seal extensions for Gillam’s Gully Road and Cement Lead Road to be developed, with a view to them being included as projects in the National Land Transport Programme for the 2025 year.
• Lazar Park
  • Council supports the request for $20,000 plus GST funding for fencing at Lazar Park.
  • The request for funding of $5000 plus GST for a Drinking Fountain is not approved.
  • Resolved that the maintenance grant be increased to $11,341.87 (incl. GST) from $2,500 to include the cost of maintaining the toilets for public use.
• Grant Funding
  • Request for a grant of $10,000 plus GST from the Lion’s Club for the Matariki Festival be declined.
  • The Annual Grant to the Hokitika Regent Theatre be continued and to include inflation adjustment.
• Hari Hari Civil Defence for generator security cage and wiring ($50,000 incl. GST) was agreed in principle subject to several quotes being obtained, the Community can apply for funds from Hari Hari Complex Reserve Fund.
• Fox Glacier Community Development Funding support the contribution of the funding of $13,000 for Fox Glacier from the Tourism Promotions Rate.
• Council requested a full strategic review to be completed of Jackson Bay.
• $6,000 approved for Annual Maintenance costs of Stafford Cemetery

Watch the full deliberations on our Youtube channel

Photo: Otira Village – Christopher Andrews on Flickr

Upcoming Council meetings – June / July 2023

Photo: Jesse Palmer on Flickr

Hokitika Racecourse drop-in session and survey

Westland District Council, with the support of project consultants Joseph & Associates, held a drop-in session on Saturday 10 June, at the Hokitika Boys Brigade Hall to gather the views of the Westland community on the future use of the Hokitika Racecourse site.

Mayor Helen Lash says the 12-hour duration of the drop-in session was decided on to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend, working around any other Saturday commitments they may have.

For those that were unable to make it to the drop-in session or haven’t had an opportunity to attend any of the consultation sessions, Mayor Lash urges them to read the project information and complete the survey.

Surveys can be completed online or emailed to infrastructure@westlanddc.govt.nz

The survey is available in hardcopy from the Customer Service and Westland District Library.

The council will consider all feedback received from the community, before deciding on what the next steps will be for the future use of the former Hokitika racecourse.

Contact for further information

Rachel Leitch, rachel@perpro.nz, 0223 288 020

Key projects

More information about our other Key Projects is on Council’s website.

Electrical items recycling

In conjunction with EnviroNZ, Westland District Council is launching a trial to accept used electrical items for potential resale at the Hokitika Transfer Station’s Magpies Nest re-use shop, located at 84 Hau Hau Road in Hokitika.

To be recycled into the Magpies Nest, the items should still be fit for purpose and in working order. On receipt, a staff member will test that the item is operational before it can be accepted. The item will then have an electrical test and will be tagged for sale at an affordable price and can be viewed at the Magpies Nest shop.

Any end-of-life items that are not in working order will continue to be recycled as scrap where possible.

There are multiple benefits to getting these appliances in the recycling loop, such as environmental sustainability, reducing waste to landfill and increasing the goods available to the Magpie Shop users.

Electrical items will only be accepted at the Hokitika Transfer Station from 1 July 2023 and are subject to condition assessment.

Pooches Pool Party

The swimming pool staff celebrated the end of the season with a very successful Pooches Pool Party. Due to the success of the event, they intend to run a yearly event and would like feedback to make it even better. You can take the survey here.

Photo: Hokitika Pool

Swimming Pool works

Stage 2 of the Hokitika Pool Redevelopment Project has commenced with work starting after King’s Birthday on 6 June.

As well as the usual seasonal maintenance contractors will also be:

• Installing a new pool water treatment plant to improve water quality in a new external plant room.
• Installing new circulation pipework and pool liner.
• Additional strengthening works to the main concourse.
• Demolition of the existing reception and changing rooms and construction of a new reception with changing rooms on the Weld Street entrance.

When the pool reopens, there will be an interim public entrance for the pool located on the west side of the building behind the RSA on Sewell Street. Temporary changing and toilet facilities will be provided while the new reception and changing facilities are constructed.

We apologise to the community for the extended winter closure and intend to reopen the pool as soon as possible. The new reception and changing facilities are expected to be open to the public in autumn 2024.

Demolition of the front entrance started on 14 June:

Video: Westland District Council

Westroads Upskilling Staff

The next round of upskilling staff has commenced for the Westroads team.

Over the next couple of years many Westroads staff will undertake training and study to develop their knowledge and skillset further. The training is a commitment to a career for individuals at Westroads.

Four staff members are enrolled in the Development West Coast Leadership Programme.

Westroads are proud to be associated with the Development West Coast Leadership Programme and to support initiative on the West Coast. Staff attending the programme will attend a series of courses designed to increase their skillset on the following disciplines:

• Engaging with others
• Building effective teams
• Leading lean
• Critical thinking
• Courageous conversations
• Leader as coach

Two staff will also begin their NZQA qualifications in Level 4 Construction and Maintenance, with others doing the Level 4 Pipelaying Installation, Level 4 Wastewater Treatment and Level 5 Drinking Water Treatment.

With changes to Drinking Water Standards and the ever evolving 3 Waters entity it is important to keep staff up to date with the latest industry qualifications. Whilst the existing staff are qualified in a wide range of disciplines the next round of study develops that knowledge base further an Westroads are right behind their employees helping them achieve their career goals.

Text and image: Westroads Ltd

Nick Pooley and Leithem Schwass who are benefiting from workplace development at Westroads

Let’s Play Hokitika Celebrates Raising 33% of Fundraising Goal for Cass Square Playground Upgrade

Let’s Play Hokitika, a dedicated sub-group of Hokitika Community Trust, is thrilled to announce that they have successfully raised 33% of their $75,000 fundraising goal for the much-anticipated upgrade of Cass Square Playground. Since March 2023, Let’s Play Hokitika has been actively engaging the community in their efforts to enhance the recreational facilities and create a vibrant play area for the children of Hokitika.

The fundraising campaign has been met with an overwhelming response from both individuals and local businesses who recognise the importance of providing an exceptional playground experience for the children in the community. Let’s Play Hokitika would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who have generously supported their cause.

Let’s Play Hokitika would like to acknowledge the following sponsors:

Let’s Play Hokitika would also like to thank the many local businesses and organisations who have contributed raffle prizes, services, and spaces towards their fundraising efforts.

These remarkable sponsors have demonstrated their commitment to the community’s well-being and have played a crucial role in bringing the Cass Square Playground upgrade project closer to its completion.

The funds raised will be instrumental in transforming Cass Square Playground into a modern, inclusive, and engaging play space for children of all ages and abilities. The upgraded playground will feature state-of-the-art equipment, improved safety measures, and enhanced landscaping to create a welcoming environment for families to gather and children to play.

Let’s Play Hokitika would like to encourage all members of the community to continue supporting their fundraising efforts. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated and can be made through the Let’s Play Hokitika website or by contacting their dedicated team.

As Let’s Play Hokitika celebrates this significant milestone of reaching 33% of their fundraising goal, they are filled with gratitude for the incredible support received from the community and sponsors.

Text: Let’s Play Hokitika

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash