Feedback wanted on $4.12m 'Better Off' funding

Council is calling on people to have their say on what to do about the $4.12m in Tranche 1 "Better Off' funding on offer as part of Government's three waters reform.

The $2 billion "Better Off' funding package was developed to help councils position themselves for the future by investing in projects that improve community wellbeing, build resilience to climate change and natural hazards and/or assist housing development.

Mayor Don Cameron said Ruapehu District Council's share of the 'Better Off' package is $16.46m which was allocated on the basis of a nationally consistent formula that takes into account population, relative deprivation and land area," he said.

"Applications for the first tranche of funding worth $4.12m are now open until 31 December this year with a second tranche of $12.35m being available from 1 July 2024.

In order to meet Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) requirements to receive 'Better Off' funding each project should have support from local iwi and the community.

We have identified and costed nine projects which we have engaged with local iwi on that Council will consider including in the Tranche 1 funding application depending on community feedback.

In addition to the project decisions the current Council also needs to decide on whether to have a shortened community engagement period of two weeks (from 1 September to 14 September) that would allow them to sign-off on the Tranche 1 application at their last meeting on 21 September.

The alternative is to have a longer consultation period and the new Council would finalise the Tranche 1 projects before the application period closes at the end of December.

In either case we want to hear what the community thinks of the proposed Tranche 1 project ideas along with any project ideas they have that meet the criteria.

People should note that any ideas that they put forward that aren't included as part of the Tranche 1 application may be carried over to Tranche 2 or form part of the new Long Term Plan next year.

The draft Tranche 1 project ideas are in local papers this week and a confirmed list will be on the website after Council discusses them at their meeting on Wednesday this week (31 Aug 22).

People will be able to give feedback online or pick-up a consultation document with feedback form from their local Council office,” he said.

Mayor Don Cameron added that irrespective of the consultation timing decision he would encourage people to have their say and get their own ideas in early.

As we already have project ideas worth more than the $16.46m in available funding community feedback to help Council make the final project decisions will be vital," he said.

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