Horizons outlines initial Long-term Plan proposals

Horizons chair Nikki Riley says the process for creating the draft 2027-37 Long-term Plan – which is not yet complete – has involved many workshops, meetings and draft budgets.

“Council is creating this Long-term Plan with our vision in mind: Our region where people and land are nourished.

“Council is focused on four key priorities: resilience, stewardship, prosperity and partnerships. These priorities guide how we make decisions, allocate resources and measure success. The priorities sit alongside our statutory responsibilities and legal obligations.”   

Creating this draft Long-term Plan has been challenging, balancing legislative requirements and the needs and wants of the community against inflationary pressures and keeping rates as affordable as possible, says Cr Riley.

“With rates capping coming and general inflation continuing to be high for existing activities, there will need to be trade-offs to fund new or enhanced levels of service.

“With the rates cap band of 2-4% coming into effect from July 2029, and all councils required to show they are moving towards that cap, Council is currently working towards an average rates increase of between 5% and 6% for 2027-28, then between 2% and 4% in 2028-29.”

Council is taking central government’s local government reforms into account throughout the Long-term Plan process, says Cr Riley. 

“Parties from both sides of Parliament have consistently emphasised the positive impact of regional services – biosecurity, catchment management, regional transport planning and more – and said they must continue to be delivered.

“This Long-term Plan will help to guide the delivery of regional services for the next decade, regardless of who is delivering them.”

With those factors in mind, Council is currently proposing to increase spending in select areas, including biosecurity, river management and emergency management, says Cr Riley.

“Much of this proposed investment is related to meeting legislated requirements, such as the new Emergency Management Act, as well as delivering work which aligns with Council’s vision and strategic priorities. 

“To help to balance the books to allow for this proposed investment, Council is currently proposing reducing the operational budget in various areas, including climate change, science, the Sustainable Land Use Initiative and contestable funds.

“Council is also currently proposing not to progress the public transport regional services review, and to not fill some vacancies, which would result in a level of service reduction for some areas, including Rural Advice and District Advice.

“Proposed reductions should not be read as Council saying this work is not important. Rather, this is the reality of having to make trade-offs to ensure we deliver what the community requires and expects from us while keeping rates pressures as low as possible and work towards rates capping.”

People will be able to have their say on these proposals during consultation, which will take place in March and April 2027, says Cr Riley. 

“People can contact their Horizons councillors before then if they have questions about the proposals.

“Council wants to work with the community in transparent and practical ways to ensure the final 2027-37 Long-term Plan delivers good results for the Horizons Region, both now and into the future.”

For more information, including more detail on the current proposed investments and reductions, see https://haveyoursay.horizons.govt.nz/ltp2027-37.