Councils
Southland District Mayor Rob Scott has expressed concern over the substantial effort required to prepare Long-Term Plans (LTPs), which he argues is a significant drain on council resources and often becomes outdated soon after publication. He believes that while councils should be accountable to ratepayers, the current process, driven largely by the need to satisfy auditors, places undue stress on council resources.
Similarly, Stephen Parry, the interim chief executive of Gore District Council, has noted these challenges, especially in the context of the Three Waters reform uncertainty. This sentiment is echoed by five council chief executives in Otago, who collectively stated the need for better funding tools to manage immediate cost pressures while investing in essential infrastructure.
Contrasting views were expressed by Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers, who acknowledged the immense growth pressures and rapidly changing environment his district faces but emphasized the importance of continuing LTP development, viewing it as a core responsibility of elected local government members.
Amidst these discussions, the idea of extending the LTP review cycle from three to six years was not supported by either Mr. Scott or Mayor Lewers. They both highlighted the challenges of preparing LTPs, especially for smaller councils like Southland, where the LTP preparation can consume an enormous amount of time and resources.
In support of the LTP process, Invercargill City Council chief executive Michael Day emphasized its role in fostering community engagement and facilitating sound decision-making for the benefit of future generations. However, Mr. Scott suggested that central government should undertake a similar planning exercise to understand the workload and limited benefits of such extensive planning in an uncertain environment.