Library, tourism and debt dominate annual plan hearing

May 1st, 2014
[by David Armstrong]

Hearings held today at Memorial Hall for submissions to Council's draft Annual Plan were dominated by three issues - the Motueka library redevelopment, funding for tourism and i-Sites, and controlling debt levels.

About a dozen local individuals and groups took the 10-minute opportunity to speak to their submissions and to answer mostly encouraging but probing questions from councillors.

A total of 559 submissions were made from throughout the district to the draft plan, which sets out what TDC aims to do in the 2014-15 financial year and how it will pay for the work. Most of those submitters choose not to speak to council at the hearings.

Of the submissions, one of the most popular topics was the redevelopment of the Motueka library, which TDC proposed to drop from the plan altogether. Fifty five people (almost 10% of all submitters) commented on this Council U-turn.

Of the 55, nearly three-quarters (40 people) requested or demanded that Council start over again and build a new library of a size appropriate for the population is serves. More than half wanted the library as part of a new community complex or hub in Decks Reserve.

Another 12 said the existing library should be expanded and/or use of Wi-Fi by non-residents be limited or stopped. Only three people submitted that no money should be spent on the library, at least at present until Council debt is reduced.

The number of submissions and the large majority of preferences suggest to Motueka ward councillors that it is not just a small, vocal minority of people wanting a Motueka library fit for purpose.

Nearly one half of the people who spoke to their submissions today addressed the library issue. The next most common issue was whether or not TDC should halve its contribution to tourism funding in the coming year and thereafter cut all funding altogether.

While one opinion was that tourism businesses should receive no subsidy from ratepayers, several other well-argued submissions pointed out that in the medium to long run we all benefit economically by helping get more tourism dollars into the region and town.

Those tourism dollars are spent not only at accommodation businesses and tourist attraction operators, but also in the High Street shops and other general services. Without such money some shops would find themselves unable to keep afloat throughout the year, therefore closing down. Those shops would then not be there for Motueka residents to patronise, and the town would shrink commercially.

The third most common issue addressed by submitters was council debt, with two experts especially urging councillors to reduce debt levels sharply so as to reduce the debt servicing (interest) load.

This also led to some discussion about achieving a balance between reducing financial risk but at the same time increasing the risk that too much financial austerity may in fact lead to a decline in services and facilities, discouraging people from living or moving here.

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