Fairness and consistency were key themes that came through at Whakatāne District Council’s Hearings Committee Meeting on the proposed 2023/24 Fees and Charges Schedule on Thursday (26 October).

Whakatāne District Council’s Manager Strategy and Performance Dr Leny Woolsey said it was great to hear from community members and user group representatives on the day.

“Hearings are an important step in the consultation process. They help the Mayor and Councillors to make informed decisions and understand what matters most to people and community groups.”

The proposed increases aimed to strike a balance between the extraordinary inflationary pressures Council is facing, and what’s affordable for communities.

Dr Woolsey said that, like many districts and cities across Aotearoa, Council needs to consider fairness and consistency when making decisions around community facilities and services.

“We have significant costs to cover to provide these facilities and services and a decision must be made as to how these costs are recovered.

“Some user fees and charges are based on a ‘user-pays model’ where the person or group benefitting from the activity or service pays to cover the cost. In other cases, fees and charges are subsidised by general rates, especially if there is a greater element of public good. But in most cases, it is a mix of the two.”

“Generally, for things like libraries and sports fields, a higher proportion of the cost of delivering that activity will be subsidised by general rates.

“Council has committed to making it a priority to provide opportunities for kids to be active and that we encourage participation in sports, arts, and culture,” Dr Woolsey said. 

The final fees and charges report will be back before Councillors at a 15 November Council meeting for adoption, based on feedback received at the meeting.  

For more information, including a detailed schedule of the fees and charges and individual submissions, whakatane.govt.nz/meetings