Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Ward
Dean Taylor
Dean Taylor – Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Ward
1. Operational Deficits and Borrowing (maximum 100 words)
Waipā is currently running operational deficits over three years, which reduces the annual rates increase by around 4%. To fund this gap, the council is borrowing an average of $8 million per year.
a. Were you aware of this funding strategy?
b. Do you agree with the approach of borrowing to fund operational shortfalls as prudent rather than raising rates to fully fund current operations? Why or why not?
I wasn’t aware of this strategy, but as I read it, the borrowing is a short term measure brought about by the pressure of significant growth, followed by a slow-down of the property market, which has resulted in delays realising income in the form of fees from developers. I agree with protecting current ratepayers from these costs and spreading the load to include new ratepayers, but it should only ever be viewed as a temporary measure.
2. Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan (maximum 100 words)
The council has adopted the “Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan” as a long-term vision to guide growth and infrastructure planning.
a. Do you support the direction and priorities set out in Ahu Ake?
b. Given that the plan proposes a number of costly studies how would you ensure that it remains relevant, affordable, and aligned with community needs over time?
I support Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan as I believe we need to be able to look ahead and plan for our own destiny when it comes to shaping growth in our district. However, I also believe it would be prudent to revisit the plan to ensure it is fit for purpose before undertaking the proposed studies. A concern is that Central Government’s demands on Waipā as a Tier 1 district could render some of the plan irrelevant.
3. Cambridge Connections (maximum 100 words)
The Cambridge Connections project reset proposes a transport network realignment and new infrastructure development around Cambridge, with potential long-term cost across the district and land use implications as well as extensive consultation.
a. Do you support the scale and scope of the Cambridge Connections project as currently proposed?
b. How should costs and impacts be managed to ensure fairness to ratepayers and affected communities?
If growth in Cambridge continues as forecast, I do support the scope of the Cambridge Connections project. As previously stated, planning for everyone’s destiny is important, but I also understand public buy-in needs to be high and it seems this has been lacking. Resetting the project is a good move and I hope the consultation is effective. I would expect the costs would be accounted for and managed as part of the growth of Cambridge.
4. Council Expenditure and Core Services (maximum 100 words)
a. In your view, is Waipā District Council currently limiting its spending to basic or essential services?
b. If elected, would you support a review of current expenditure with a view to reducing non-essential costs and/or staffing levels?
It does appear that Waipā District Council has cut back spending to core services and some of the identified projects from previous Long-Term Plans have been put on hold. If elected I would support any moves to reduce non-essential costs, but I wouldn’t limit it to just the obvious choices, such as reducing services or reducing staff, when there may be other options, such as better use of local resources and knowledge, more efficient systems or more economical professional procurement options that can also result in significant savings.
5. Urban Intensification and Tier 1 Status (maximum 50 words)
Waipā must now enable greater housing intensification and density under new rules.
What principles should guide where and how higher-density housing is developed?
As much as I don’t like what this means for us, it isn’t worth fighting a losing battle. We should ensure there is balance of housing styles, property sizes, green spaces and good connections so the outcome is still seen as an attractive option and not somewhere cheap to live.
6. Māori Ward Representation (maximum 50 words)
Waipā established a Māori ward to enhance Māori representation at the council table.
Do you support the continuation of the Māori ward beyond the current term?
I absolutely support the continuation of the Waipā Māori Ward and hope the vote is once again in favour of continuation. One councillor around the council table of 11 is 9%, about half the percentage of Waipā residents who identify as Māori.
7. Community Boards (maximum 50 words)
Do you believe community boards effectively represent community views and provide valuable advice to council? Would you support any changes to their role or powers?
I had four terms on the Community Board from 2001 and firmly believe they can effectively represent their communities and provide valuable information. This isn’t the case now in Te Awamutu/Kihikihi, so I support change and have ideas as part of my drive for more effective and affordable consultation.
8. Te Ara Wai (maximum 50 words)
What do you think the council should do with the old Bunnings building in Te Awamutu, which it bought to house Te Ara Wai Museum?
I have a conflict, as I chair the Museum Trust Board and support Te Ara Wai. However, the Bunnings site was never my personally preferred option. I did, and still do, believe innovative thinking means we could create opportunities for sports, parking, bus transport, events etc. on this central site.
9. Future of Lake Karāpiro Domain (maximum 50 words)
Lake Karāpiro Domain is often referred to as Waipā’s “jewel in the crown”. The site is currently being reviewed under the Reserves Act 1977, and future options may include increased commercial development such as hotel or motel accommodation.
Hamilton City Council now charges outsiders to visit the Gardens, should Waipā do something similar at Karāpiro?
Do you support further commercial development at Lake Karāpiro Domain and/or a visitors’ levy?
I think commercial opportunities at Lake Karāpiro could be explored with a view to enhancing the visitor experience, and I prefer this to a visitor levy, which I believe would detract local and overseas tourists. To increase revenue, investigating ways to increase visitor spending would be a better solution.
10. Finally, what is your vision for the Waipā district? (maximum 250 words)
My vision for Waipā is ‘A community where people want to raise their families, live, work and play while enjoying a safe and thriving community’. I want residents to be proud of their community. That will mean different things to different people; that is why I want us to take control of our future, so everyone has the opportunity to be heard, their ideas are respected and decisions reflect that consultation. I believe that will help residents be invested in the work council undertakes. I want to see quality decisions and quality outcomes. If we create a cycleway adjacent to a road, make it suitable for all styles of bikes; if we have an expressway on our doorstep, create on-ramps for both directions; if we build roundabouts or speed humps to control traffic movement, make sure they don’t create more harm than good.
This also means back-to-basics isn’t always enough to make us proud; we want to play, we want parks and pools and sports venues, we want to shop, we want to work, we want to preserve and celebrate history and heritage, we want to read, we want to celebrate and enjoy performing and visual arts, we want to be educated, we want to worship without prejudice, we want to be safe, we want to be accepted and respected. Importantly we want to be able to afford this lifestyle, which means tightening the belt when we need to and creating wonderful things for Waipā when we have the means.
