Annual planning process balances rates with affordability - 11/03/2010

Wanganui District Council staff and councillors have been embroiled in the annual planning process this past week.

We have not made any dramatic changes to the 10-Year Plan as we just don’t have the funds for large capital works and we need to peg rates to affordability. Needless to say, we have factored in the building of the Visitor Information Centre, improved water quality and essential roading.

Whilst my interest is always economic development, I am slowly being persuaded that a healthy social environment and an improved image of our city and district will encourage greater economic development. If we feel good about our district and we are happy living here, then we will invest in business opportunities and encourage outside business interests to do the same. Well, that is the theory and I am warming to it. Cr Sue Westwood will be chortling at this new thinking of mine.

Priorities in our annual planning deliberations include Council’s family friendly strategy. To this end, we are partnering with social agencies to help our families in need. We will be purchasing, and encouraging others to purchase, goods for the Food Bank. We are supporting youth initiatives, trialling free central city parking for the elderly, improving traffic safety around schools and promoting free entertainment for families by improving our premier parks and the riverfront boardwalk.

We have a large budget for reducing anti-social behaviour. Whether it be graffiti, menacing dogs, boy racing, bad neighbours or public intimidatory behavior, Council will endeavour to reduce the problems.

Over the last two Friday and Saturday nights, I have noticed the return of the boy racers in Victoria Avenue. They put their foot down outside the Mad Butcher and roar up the street at a high speed. I wake and just wait for a crash. Someone will be killed one day, and it will probably be that innocent driver turning into the Avenue late at night, unaware of the racing practice. If you get out and yell at them to stop, they just give you a mouthful back. Unfortunately, the police cannot be in all places at night but this kind of behaviour must be stopped somehow.

On a more pleasant note, it is wonderful that we can enjoy settled and warm weather. This is always the best time of year in Wanganui.

Enjoy the week.