Media Release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Instead of producing a Long Term Plan in 2024, Council has resolved to issue an extended Annual Plan for the 2024/2025 year. Under the Water Services Acts Repeal Act (the Act), Councils have been given the option to extend their Long Term Plan process for 12 months until 30 June 2025.
“It makes sense for Council to take the opportunity to extend the timeframe,” notes Group Manager Corporate Services and Risk and Assurance, Lesley Crichton. “As staff reported to Council, uncertainty around the three waters following the change in government has made it difficult to produce a robust plan with good information on how Council intends to provide three waters services over the next ten years. We will have more information over the next 12 months to be able to produce a better plan.
Council will instead issue an extended version of the Annual Plan for 2024/2025, that has a greater amount of financial and activity information than a typical Annual Plan. This is the requirement of the Act. We will be consulting on the Annual Plan and the community will have the opportunity to have their say.”
“This gives us the space to do the work that we need to do in the three waters area,” says Helen Lash, Mayor Lash. “This is a good decision for Council, and a better option for Council and provides greater certainty for our community.”
Council will continue to work on a Long Term Plan for 2025 – 2034.
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Emma Rae, Strategy and Communications Advisor
Emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz