Is the Western Bay heading in the right direction for the next decade?

That is the question Western Bay of Plenty District Council wants to know as it continues to develop its 2021-2031 Long Term Plan.

Council is now seeking the community's feedback on a shortlist of options to progress or improve a series of key projects and services in the District.

The options for projects, such as swimming pools and the Katikati bypass, have been created following community feedback received earlier in the year via Council's Hello Future District community conversation – www.hellofuturedistrict.co.nz.

'Earlier this year, in our pre-engagement, the community told us what they thought about our key topics. We've used this feedback to come up with a shortlist of options that we could progress in the next 10 years,” explains Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber.

'This feedback will inform the proposals we will make in our formal consultation period in March next year.”

Western Bay is one of the fastest growing districts in New Zealand. While this growth is positive for the local economy, a 10-year plan is necessary to ensure the District continues to be a great place to live.

Webber says the Long Term Plan sets the budget and assists in what projects Council will focus on for the next 10 years. It will be adopted in June 2021.

'We want to be sure we're investing in the right things at the right time. A key part of this by listening to people and learning about what they love about living here and how they'd like to see the District progress.

'Remember that this community conversation – Hello Future District – helps plan for the future. So now is the time to get involved and share your feedback.”

To get involved, head online at www.hellofuturedistrict.co.nz and provide feedback, via the interactive quick polls. Alternatively, hardcopy feedback forms featuring some of the topics can be completed at Council's library and service centres from Monday, September 14, to Friday, October 2.

Everyone who completes all quick polls online or fills out a hardcopy feedback will go in the draw to win one of three $100 grocery vouchers.

Feedback from the polls will be used to help assess projects, activities and levels of service for consideration as part of Council's Long Term Plan which is adopted in June 2021.

The outcomes of that feedback will be shared with the community in March 2021, when the formal consultation period will commence.

To follow the Long Term Plan process, share your thoughts and sign up to receive updates visit www.hellofuturedistrict.co.nz.