08/09/2022
Mayoral candidates - in their own words
Voting papers for this year's local body elections will be going out in just over a week. Rangitikei District Monitor sent each mayoral candidate the same list of questions.
Andy Watson
Have you ever attended a council meeting, or watched one online?
Yes, as mayor I attend them all.
Have you ever made a submission on a council consultation?
As I am part of the council consultation process, I am deeply involved.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the Rangitikei district in the next ten years and why?
Loss of the Rangitikei identity and public voice for what happens in our district. The Government is moving towards a totally regional model. The reform of the RMA (Resource Management Act), education, health, and 3 Waters reform mean that in the future we will struggle to have anybody on these committees.
What responses do you propose to this challenge?
The response from the current council and myself has been to firstly try and change Government thinking and secondly to put in place our own local solutions including spatial plans and the upgrades of the 3 waters to bring us to compliance, ahead of Government taking them over.
What is your position on the proposed Three Waters solution? If you don’t support it, what is your alternative plan for our drinking, storm and wastewater?
I and our council do not support the proposed three waters solution from Government. I don't support it. I think it is very poor legislation and I continue to challenge it in Wellington. As for the alternative; we are investing very heavily within the first three years of our long term plan, by planning now and investing now, in our three waters. At the very least we will be at the head of the priority if the entities do get put in place. By starting these projects now, such as the new wastewater plants and the investment in Marton water, then they should be continued.
What is your position on forecast rates rises? If you want to minimise them, what council services or projects would you cut to achieve that?
Nobody wants rate rises but unfortunately, the alternative is to go backwards; with our roads and services deteriorating. Our rate rises compare favourably with most rural councils. By encouraging economic growth, housing and industrial development (as we are) then the rate rises are offset.
What groups are you affiliated with?
I am the current mayor, a member of Marton Rotary, Dudding Trust and the Marton Historical Society. I support a large number of other groups (without being a formal member) such as the Marton Development Group, various other playground groups and the park upgrades at Hautapu, Taihape and the B and C dams in Marton.
Simon Loudon
Have you ever attended a council meeting, or watched one online?
I have spent several years reading, cross referencing and understanding order papers, tabled documents and minutes of council meetings, as provided on their website. I have been unable to access public excluded and workshop sessions. For example: on average; almost 30% of meeting time in the first six council meetings this year were public excluded.
Have you ever made a submission on a council consultation?
Yes, I have submitted personally to the annual plan and spatial plan consultations and (with a group of concerned residents) on the long term plan.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Rangitikei district in the next 10 years and why?
There are many big challenges to the Rangitikei district. Rangitikei has a very large land area, punctuated with river valleys and steep terrain; it's sparsely populated and has a small ratepayer base.
a) Connectedness is our first challenge; with the dependence on maintaining our significant rural roading network to ensure the economic pipeline of getting produce to market.
b) Developing an assets management strategy. RDC does not have one: as highlighted by auditors of the current LTP. It's critical to understand what infrastructure we have (both on top and underground) before council can even begin to plan for the next 10 years. Infrastructure like 'Three Waters' is paramount to the health and wellbeing of our communities.
c) Developing a comprehensive spatial plan for our whole district. This will guide council on what’s important for our communities and how our living environment will be shaped. It will provide a platform for positive change, to ensure a future that can be shared by all in the district. What’s important to our constituents should be central to council's decision making.
d) Maintaining a sure economic footing in difficult and inflationary times. RDC has set an ambitious capital spend in its LTP, without an assets management strategy, nor a spatial plan and is cautioned by the auditor of its LTP on the effects of skill and supply shortages and the current inflation levels on carrying out capital works programmes in a cost effective and timely matter.
What responses do you propose to this/these challenge/s?
Plan, plan, plan. Ask yourself ‘what’s important?’ Do appropriate planning: critically think through the issues; consult the community; evaluate and peer review the outcomes; do an effective cost benefit analysis; weigh them up against the LGNZ four key outcomes (social, cultural, environmental and economic) and implement them in a prudent and fiscally appropriate way.
What is your position on the proposed Three Waters solution? If you don’t support it, what is your alternative plan for our drinking, storm and wastewater?
Three Waters reforms are a contentious issue, driven by the necessity to ensure our health and wellbeing. It's critical infrastructure and in Rangitikei it’s in need of significant attention and improvement. It must be tackled but how, is uncertain. Rangitikei cannot do it by itself and must partner with others; whether that’s at a local, neighbour district level, or the Government's suggested 'entity B' grouping, it's not for me alone to judge.
What is your position on forecast rates rises? If you want to minimise them, what council services or projects would you cut to achieve that?
In its LTP, council forecasts an almost 7% rates rise (on average) for the first six years. This is significant. It forecasts a much lower 3% for the next 4 years. With inflationary pressures and, in light of its LTP capital spend and forecast borrowings, this does not seem plausible. Council is putting undue and unrealistic pressure on its constituents with such rates increases. Council has accumulated $53.5 million in carry-overs or deferred maintenance in the last three years. Risk averse and prudent fiscal management should be front and centre if council wishes to carry on with its forecast rates rises.
What groups are you affiliated with?
Interested Residents of Marton and Rangitikei Inc (IRO-MAR inc).
David Christison
David Christison did not provide a response to our questions.
He said: "Thanks so much for the opportunity but I'm out on the road doing the hard yards; meeting with the people of the Rangitikei."
He invites people to attend his public meetings and follow his page for information.
