Focus in GDC's three-year plan on paying for recovery following cyclones Hale, Gabrielle

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne District Council’s 2024-2027 Three Year Plan (3YP) is being considered at a council meeting today before it goes out for consultation with the community.

The plan outlines the challenges facing the council and how it intends to pay for the enormous recovery bill following cyclones Hale and Gabrielle last year.

Chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann says nationally all councils are facing significant financial challenges, more so for regions such as Tairāwhiti which was significantly affected by extreme weather events.

“For Tairāwhiti this will mean a proposed rates rise for most residential city households of $7 per week and $3.50 for rural residential properties based on average valuations for each sector.

“Council have pulled every financial lever possible to keep the rates as low as we can but the repair bill from Cyclone Gabrielle is more than $1 billion.

“Rising business costs including interest costs, depreciation and inflation have made it impossible to avoid rates increases.

“On top of that, the loss of a dividend from  the council-controlled trading organisation (Gisborne  Holdings Ltd) has also significantly reduced council’s ability to hold rates.”

The consultation document for the 3YP explains how the council plans to pay for core services, as well as all the recovery projects that need to happen.

“The decisions outlined in the consultation document include options about whether the council should spend more to do more.

“It emphasises strengthening wastewater, stormwater and water supply systems, the need to repair our damaged roading network, provide for more flood protection and improve our townships.

“It clearly explains why the council is faced with significantly increased costs and workloads while trying to manage affordability for everyone.

“The options also highlight there may be some changes to the levels of service following a review of the roading network.

“This may mean that instead of sealed roads in some areas council may have to revert to unsealed roads.

“Council, very mindful of the impacts rates increases may have, have increased provision for remissions of rates for those where hardship is an issue.”

The consultation campaign begins on Wednesday March 20 with a number of events across the region.

The council’s website and Facebook pages will provide up-to-date information about the 3YP and where community meetings will be held to discuss it. Submissions close on Friday April 19, 2024.

• As a result of the severe weather events in 2023, the Government has allowed Gisborne District Council to prepare a 2024-2027 3 Year Plan (3YP) instead of a 2024-2034 Ten Year Long Term Plan (LTP) to help Gisborne and Te Tairāwhiti focus on recovery.

The 2024-2027 3YP will replace the 2021-2031 LTP as the council’s primary strategic planning document.

• See also this story