Recently I had yet another storm water flooding incident reported down in Matua. Staff investigated and have just advised the residents that as there is no allowance in the 10 year plan for such works, nothing could be done for them.

Advice to these residents was to make sure nothing blocked the over land flow path of storm water which might help prevent their homes flooding. That of course depends on how hard it rains. Photos I was shown had the recent floodwaters lapping at their back door and that was only a one in 10 to 20 year rain event a couple of weeks ago. There are other at risk homes dotted all over the city.

The fine balance of priorities
I highlight this matter to illustrate the fine balance of priorities for city funding of the many things council collects rates for. It is interesting to note that the major issue facing some other residents is the proposal to charge a small amount towards recreational reading books at the library. It would be an interesting conversation between these two groups as to where councils spending priorities should be wouldn't it?
Demand for council services continues to spiral. Open spaces vested in council require a rates increase of $631,000. Operational expenses are up and that dreaded depreciation (consequent to an upward asset revaluation) is up $1.8 million. Debt servicing takes 25 per cent of your rates. Depreciation takes 22 per cent and this is the burgeoning menace, because as assets get revalued ratepayers get pinged more and more. Some of us have been on about this for years and have been thwarted by the rules at every turn, government investigations show rates are unsustainable (as if we needed to be told) and then the same government makes the rules that help make rates unsustainable.
A lengthy, full council meeting on Tuesday saw the media abandon us early on, just after Item three – the downtown bus stop. I mention this again to show what a selective flow of news you get provided by the media (one radio journalist excepted).

Away with the fairies
It was reassuring to hear Mayor Stuart Crosby tell us that the regional council land transport committee didn't get around to discussing extending its thinking beyond the 30 year horizon to perhaps 150 years. They would have to be away with the fairies. Back in the mid 1800s apparently the major issue facing the Aldermen of the Greater City of London was that if nothing was done about transportation, London would be buried under 100ft of horse dung within 100 years.

Where for the buses
Artsville, that group of council ratepayer owned buildings as you come off Takitimu Drive at Elizabeth Street is to report back on their proposal for development upgrade within six months. Spokeswoman Anne Pankhurst said that six months was an okay time to do it. Mike Baker noted that the concept had been going on since 2002 and had ‘just been talksville'.
It's a well-used complex and basic maintenance will continue but there is no ratepayers money allocated or planned for development.
Then the BIG item before the media scarpered. The downtown bus stop. Staff told elected members there was an 8.18 times benefit cost with the addition of a waiting lounge. I queried how this was estimated and was told that was the experience elsewhere according to NZTA (Govt. Agency). This lounge will cost $100,000 of which ratepayers will pay $40,000 and $60,000 from NZTA. This will be a leased out café/coffee bar – I said we could call it the Downunder. The more things change the more they stay the same. Last time council got involved in a coffee lounge it ended in a financial debacle. You may recall Café 100 under Baycourt. I digress. On a vote of seven to four the bus stop will be in Willow St / Wharf St with car parks preserved outside Broncos and Masonic car park and one extra bus stop outside the TSB.

No shelter from the wind
A lovely architecturarily cantilevered shelter concept drawing along the front of the Masonic car park looked a million dollars ($250,000 actually). But as I pointed out with the prevailing SW wind would give no shelter most of the time. I nearly tore what little hair I've got left out when someone said they would get a consultant to report on that. I don't think they will now!
Catherine Stewart said that this bus stop would not be a 20 year fix and said the experts were wrong. Wayne Moultrie said that, that was nonsense and to much mirth said ‘he didn't cut his own hair'.
After decorum was restored Wayne said he often made ‘bald statements', but in any event none of us would be around in 20 years to see. Mayor Stuart Crosby chimed in and said ‘Councillor Faulkner will be! Oh dear! Bill Grainger, Hayden Evans and Murray Guy joined Catherine in opposing the resolution approving Willow/Wharf St bus stop.

Not much left
Rick Curach resurrected notice of motion to reconsider the previous attempt to introduce an annual plan – savings targets have been ‘left to lie on the table' until March 16. This was to give Rick and others further time to liaise with staff to come up with where further savings can come from without affecting present levels of service or increasing debt, rates or user charges as outlined in the notice of motion.
Our governance role (as required by law) is that elected members decide what needs to happen, staff implement that and we monitor it. Last year staff cut around $2 million but CEO Stephen Town told council that, that was the end of the line and there was little left without direction from elected members as to what should be cut. So it seems practical for those elected members who perhaps haven't done the research required to get alongside staff for financial information to assist with suggestions for savings as outlined in the Notice of Motion. As noted earlier, debt servicing and depreciation take 47 per cent of your rates. Assuming we want the city to keep ticking over there's not much room to move, out of what's left.