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O T A K I A W ENT M U C O D N O I SULTAT N O C N A L P M G TER N O L 5 2 0 2 5 1 0 2
Influence decisions on the region’s future Whakaarohia mō apōpō We need to realise, however, that over the next 10 years major changes will impact W on our environment and lifestyle. Some of these include: o
Ultimately, the plan will seek to improve the region’s attractiveness for people and business, and maximise natural advantages of the region such as our strong productive base, natural beauty, vibrant and strongly growing Hamilton city, diverse and distinctive rural communities, proximity to Auckland, strongly growing Māori economy, and the region’s connections to the rest of New Zealand.
• our natural resources will be under more pressure, in particular our rivers and streams which will have declined in quality and will be fully allocated to those taking water from them
We can’t achieve this on our own. Waikato Regional Council recognises that only by working together will we successfully address our future challenges, and turn them into opportunities.
T Waikato region is not only our home, it is also important to The New Zealand. N
There are a range of proposals detailed here for your feedback and you’ll see how building a Waikato that has a healthy environment, strong economy and vibrant communities is at the heart of everything we do.
• most of our rural towns will have fewer people living in them, in particular young people
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!
• more of Auckland’s growth will have spilled into our region, and Auckland itself will be using more resources, including water, from the Waikato to support its growth
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people! It’s important to us that we provide more and better services,
• the Waikato Expressway will be complete, making it much quicker to get to Auckland. However, the Southern Motorway and rail will be more congested. This will undermine the value of the expressway, and will impact on the cost and efficiency of our imports and exports through Auckland ports. We need to change what we can. To do so, more than ever the Waikato needs to work W ttogether to reverse or at least mitigate these expected changes. TThat is the crux of this 10 year plan. It is about interventions to change our future. One way we’re addressing these issues is through a Waikato Spatial Plan, being O developed by the Waikato Mayoral Forum in which we are a partner. It will provide d a consistent evidence base for decision making, optimise the use of the region’s iinfrastructure and facilities, and improve coordination of planning and investment.
keeping costs down for people now while still looking after future generations. That’s why our rates revenue from existing ratepayers is going up by just 0.2 per cent. There’s some work we are required to do by legislation, which reduces our ability to provide real options to you for feedback. But with some other proposals there is the option to either not do the work, or to do it at a slower or increased pace. And that’s where you can influence our decisions. So, please tell us what you think of the various proposals to make a positive difference to the future of our region.
Paula Southgate and Vaughan Payne
Chairperson
Chief Executive
Atua, e t i k a i Koror nore i a o h a k a h Me w me tona a i t i e h u Kiingi T ariki, i u h a k whare ake i nga a r a h a , Kia m uta noa p a u t i a tini tatou o a i k i a Hoki m i, rama ne a m o a te katoa. u o t a t Tena
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Fund for regional scale development proposed
Our plans to improve the coastal marine environment
Page 9 Proposal: TB rate collection to stop
Page 14 Your rates