09 June 2017
Charles Barclay
PO Box 211
Dargaville 0340
Email
: [email address]
Dear Charles
Te Kopuru Wastewater Scheme
Thank you for coming in to visit and raising with me your issues related to the Te Kopuru wastewater scheme. I
have had a look at some of the numbers you presented and am comfortable with the way Council has handled
these matters. For example comparing administrative costs is difficult when some of your comparative
numbers relate to a time in Council’s history when it was actually borrowing money for operational
expenditure. Under that scenario costs will always look lower.
One of the challenges I have in this role is working through the lack of a common treatment in many areas of
our activities, wastewater being one. Ideally in the upcoming long term planning process we can identify what
fair treatment is for projects and then gradually work communities to a common end point. Communities will
obviously have input into this process.
I am far from convinced looking back 40 years and "grandfathering" provisions back then is either relevant or
helpful. It would be close to impossible to operate a Council on that basis.
I am very concerned about affordability of rates and other charges in communities where some residents
struggle financially to make ends meet. You may be aware rates relief is available in a number of these
circumstances. If it would assist, Council staff could have a day at Te Kopuru assisting residents with
applications in this regard. If you think this would be helpful please contact Sean Mahoney
[email address] or 09 439 3602 in that regard and it will be arranged.
Yours faithfully
Greg Gent
Mayor
1701.01
Barclay C TK WW 09062017 Eltr
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