Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz

This week the regional council made its decisions on community submissions to the council annual plan. This followed hearings where 40 groups and individuals presented their submissions to council.

A very genuine thank you to all those that made a submission. Some people will be pleased with the council's decisions and some will be disappointed. We are living through challenging times and strive to find a balance in decisions involving public expenditure that are fair and understandable. If decisions aren't fair or understandable given the context in which they are made, then our communities have a right to feel aggrieved.

However, a ‘big game' for regional council is looming on the horizon as we look to review our 10 year plan starting towards the latter half of this year. The council has a 10 year plan; kicked off in 2009 and going through until 2019. We will do a three year review of this, meaning that after revision our new 10 year plan will be 2012-22. There are many matters that will need to be considered through this process. They include;

• The balance between rating revenue and investment income for council expenditure. At the present time about 24 per cent of operating expense comes from investment income. General rates pay for approx 13 per cent and targeted rates 11 per cent. Council has flagged its desire to move the balance more towards rating revenue, but this will require significant analysis and discussion.
• Making decisions with regard to infrastructure spending...the result of the council wanting to use more investment income for projects that will ‘make a difference'.
• Targeted rates are the proportions charged appropriate for the Lakes Restoration programme; River Catchment Schemes; Public transport. The theory being that those that benefit disproportionally over the balance of the region should pay.
• How do we pay for the River Catchment schemes and keep pace fairly with significant infrastructure costs in ever increasing environmental fragility.
• How do we keep supporting the Lakes water quality work and find long-term sustainable (economic and environmental) solutions.
• Making sure the Tauranga Harbour restoration programme is ‘fit for purpose'.
• Reviewing Economic Development initiatives and considering big ticket items like a new University Campus in Tauranga and the Opotiki Harbour development.
• Tackling the ‘Mangroves'.

And the long list goes on.

From my experience in local government, this process will be both challenging and exciting. It's our chance to kick around good thinking for the benefit of all our regional communities. The outcome must be decisions that are understandable and fair to the present and future beneficiaries of this magnificent region.