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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:18am

Selwyn District Council has signed off on a 10-year programme of continued investment in providing community facilities, services and infrastructure for a rapidly-growing district.

At an extraordinary meeting this week (Wednesday 20 June 2018) the Council adopted its Long-Term Plan 2018-2028, signalling a series of landmark projects for Selwyn.

Major projects endorsed by the Council include an additional 25-metre pool for the Selwyn Aquatic Centre, a new indoor courts complex at Foster Park; new community centres at Hororata, Leeston and Prebbleton; and an extension to the Council premises at Rolleston.

The Council approved a change to district-wide rating for community centres, halls and reserves; and confirmed it will take a risk-based approach to future chlorination of community water supplies. Also adopted were changes to rating for water races and to community grants funding, along with a new walking and cycling strategy with seven new cycleways planned.

The plan also includes continuing significant expenditure on roading improvements and upgrades to water supplies, stormwater and wastewater networks.

Mayor Sam Broughton says the 10-year plan sets out an ambitious programme of new projects.

“Selwyn’s population is set to grow by around 20,000 – to around 80,000 people –over the next decade,” he says. “This plan is a response to the challenges and opportunities of that growth, and we’ve worked hard to ensure we provide the infrastructure and services our community needs, while balancing the affordability of rates.

“There are some big projects ahead – and we’re committed to getting them under way as soon as possible because we know how important they are to the whole community.

“We’re also pressing ahead with projects already in progress, like the exciting Rolleston Town Centre development, and a Health Hub to bring key health services to the district.”

Overall the plan forecasts average rate rises of 4% per year over the 10 years of the plan. In the coming 2018/19 year, the average rates rise will be 6%, with a similar rise in 2019/20, reflecting the expenditure on major community facilities and roading improvements.

Adoption of the plan came after widespread community consultation during April and May. A total of 436 formal submissions were received, while a further 1,300 people provided feedback through online polls and a survey.

“The engagement with our community has been hugely important in this process,” Mayor Broughton says. “We’ve listened carefully to what residents have told us, both in support of what we proposed and suggesting alternative approaches.

“For some projects, public feedback has prompted us to commit to further reviews in future – for example in reassessing some of the facilities proposed for the Aquatic Centre extension, future funding levels for community grants, and the timing of new community centre projects and cycleways.

“We also responded positively to a number of additional requests for support or additional work, including a grant for St John Ambulance, lighting upgrade at Brookside Park, funding for additional carparking in Lincoln, and support for a public transport trial serving Darfield and Leeston.”

Audit New Zealand issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the Plan, noting that it provides a sound basis for the Council’s decision-making and accountability to the community.