Better off funding

• Significant unplanned roading issues arose due to severe weather events, such as Cyclones Dovi, Hale and Gabrielle, since February 2022. Numerous roads have had to be repaired and resealed, culverts replaced, and drains realigned. Unplanned repairs have created a flow-on effect on planned maintenance, and the work is ongoing.

• The Featherston Masterplan is progressing as planned, with face-to-face and online public engagement. Formal public consultation will come later in 2023.

• The review of the Wairarapa Combined District Plan continues and public consultation is scheduled for later in 2023.

• We continue work to improve our relationship with mana whenua through the appointment of a dedicated role. The Māori Standing Committee now has new voting rights at Committee meetings.

• The Rangatahi Youth Strategy with Masterton and Carterton Councils has reached a milestone, with public submissions assessed and the document adopted by Council.

• The new dog pound facility project made substantial progress and is nearing completion.

The Council was successful in having $1.88 million of the Better Off Tranche 1 Funding as part of the Three Waters Reform programme, now known as Affordable Water Reform Programme, approved by the Department of Internal Affairs. Recommendations for prudent investment of this will be taken to Council in coming months.