Christchurch city council is getting in early and asking residents what they would like the council to focus on when it produces the longterm plan next year.
It takes the form of a survey called What Matters Most, a discussion forum and a weekly poll. Everyone gets 100 points they can use to comment on one or more topics such as climate change, community facilities, events, wastewater and enabling development to name a few in What Matters Most but can say more in the discussion area.
Start here: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/whatmattersmost
A recent poll topic asked about the central business district and most people agreed it needed more work.
The site also asks people what they think the council’s main focus should be for spending and service delivery, how to balance the needs of today’s residents with those of tomorrow’s residents (today’s children) and whether infrastructure such as footpaths and community facilities is keeping pace witb developments in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Comments can be read on the webs
The survey is in English but also in a number of other languages like Te Reo, Chinese, Korean and Spanish.
Those not comfortable with online form filling have been invited to download an activity sheet. Help is available through the council or anyone is welcome to also drop into the St Albans Community Centre mid-morning on weekdays.
Feedback to the council closes on August 13 but there will be other opportunities to have a say. The responses will become part of a document between September and November and will be put out for public consultation in March 2024 with a view to being finalised in June 2024.
The 2024-2034 long term plan directs council expenditure towards specific services and activities and works out how to pay for them (mostly from rates). Most activities will require an enlarged budget because of inflation. It looks as if rates will be around 11 per cent each year but the council has levers it can pull, as it did this year, to keep the rates down. It can reduce services, cut down on debt, add new revenue streams and more.
