The Dunedin City Council approved a consultation plan yesterday for its 2025-34 draft long-term plan, and rates increases of 10.5%, 10.2% and 10.1% have been proposed for the first three years.
Mr Radich noted rates rises just under 10% had been indicated before councillors worked through draft budgets last month, as well as what he described as flattening of the council’s debt curve.
"It would be very easy to make some relatively minor adjustments to the financial plan to achieve that position," he said yesterday.
The mayor wanted to hear from the public on the subject.
The draft plan was an important document for settling on the city’s direction for the next nine years, he said.
"It is a document that councillors have had a big hand in producing — not all of it unanimously."
A range of contentious issues remained, he said.
Cr Brent Weatherall said he expected councillors would be tempted to "splash the cash" during an election year.
The council could not continue to run the city "on an Afterpay philosophy, with a buy-now, pay-later mentality", he said.
"I’m aghast at some of the projects councillors have included in the nine-year plan draft and what has been left out.
"I’m hoping the public agree and air their views through the consultation process."
Deputy mayor Cherry Lucas felt the long-term plan was at last an opportunity for councillors to have a significant impact.
"I’ve had quite a lot of frustration sitting around this table now for more than two years and not really being able to influence anything to do with the direction of the city [and major projects]," she said.
"I look forward to hearing from our community."
Cr Sophie Barker said the council was building on a good plan that had been delivered over many years and lessons had been learnt about what worked and what did not.
Key elements of the consultation plan include online content, drop-in centres and engaging in hui.
One of the objectives of consultation was to provide the whole community — including traditionally under-represented groups such as Māori, Pasifika and youth — with the opportunity to engage with the nine-year plan.
Cr Lee Vandervis said estimated time commitments for councillors participating in consultation activities included more than 20% for "Māori as a priority".
He doubted Māori remained under-represented.
Cr Jim O’Malley said the identified communities tended to be under-represented in consultation.
Cr Steve Walker said it was important to engage with as many people as possible.
