Raglan Community Board chair Ross Wallis says the town’s lack of a long-term plan is making it harder to make coordinated decisions about future facilities and development.
The issue arose after the Raglan Community Swimming Pool Trust discussed potential locations for a community pool and associated facilities. Ross says proposals for pools, gyms, sports centres and other infrastructure are difficult to assess without an agreed vision for the town.
“It’s the biggest frustration, to sit down and have people that are actually passionate about things like that come, and we sit there and go, ‘Well, actually, let’s refer to a town plan. Oh no, we don’t really have one.’
“So I guess it’ll just go wherever someone can make it go. It’s mind-boggling to me. I mean, you wouldn’t run a business like that. Why would we run our council like that?”
The board recently met to narrow its priorities, with town planning near the top of the list.
“Town planning is probably a big one that’s been going on for years and years and decades, probably,” Ross says.
He is concerned ordinary council work could lose momentum while attention is focused on possible amalgamations.
“I just think it’s too easy to say, ‘Oh well, things are all going to change, so we’ll just cruise through and don’t worry about it.’
Reform must improve local government
Ross says change is needed but believes reform must deliver better outcomes for communities, not simply focus on administrative efficiencies or boundary changes.
“There needs to be some real benefits in terms of effectiveness, not just efficiencies.”he says.
Protecting the influence of smaller communities is one of the board’s main concerns.
“The community voice was probably at the top of the list in terms of small communities not getting swallowed up and not having any voice – and it’s just run by a central big body,” he says.
“Big is not necessarily better, but we want quality.”
Catchments and funding need wider consideration
Ross says council boundaries should not divide natural catchments between authorities with different priorities.
“The catchment areas are vital, so you don’t want to split the catchment up,” he says.
“If you split it up too much, you get different councils operating in different parts of the catchment. That just wouldn’t work.”
He also believes reform must address the pressure placed on rural districts with small rating bases and extensive infrastructure networks.
“The burden comes on just such a few ratepayers, it’s just impossible,” he says.
“I just think the financial model and the way that we’re going forward is unsustainable.”
Ross says changing boundaries without addressing funding would not be enough.
“We need a proper overhaul, not just tweaking some boundaries, because that’s definitely not going to cut it.”
Community boards need real powers
Ross wants Raglan to retain formal representation under any future structure but says local bodies also need delegated authority over projects and spending.
“You want representation around the table, but I think possibly something like a community board, but beefed up,” he says.
He says the current board is expected to represent Raglan but has few practical tools.
He says the board distributes about “$16,000-odd” annually through its discretionary fund, but Ross says that is intended to support small initiatives rather than substantial infrastructure.
He believes projects such as the Greenslade Road playground could have been delivered more efficiently with greater local control.
Long Street tower alternatives being explored
Residents have objected to a proposed Long Street telecommunications tower, prompting the board to ask Connexa to consider locating it near existing infrastructure around the water tower.
Ross says Connexa has listened to community concerns and is exploring alternative locations for the proposed tower.
A meeting was scheduled this week to discuss possible options, including locating the infrastructure closer to existing telecommunications facilities near the water tower.
Detailed WSL review sought
The board has requested a report on the World Surf League New Zealand Pro, covering event operations, council’s experience with organisers and consent compliance.
It also wants detailed research into the event’s local economic impact. Ross says business feedback was mixed, with some benefiting while others lost regular trade because customers expected the town to be crowded.
“We really want to get some data-driven market research done that drills down into the detail of specifically how it’s impacted Raglan and in what areas,” he says.
Manu Bay planting and boat-ramp work
The board wants to review proposed planting at Manu Bay and whether it could affect future use of the reserve.
The boat ramp is also expected to be resurfaced, potentially in early September, requiring a temporary closure while the new surface is laid and cured.
Local work continues despite uncertainty
Ross says restructuring and amalgamation discussions have been disruptive, but unresolved local issues still require attention.
“A merger hasn’t happened yet. The change hasn’t happened yet,” he says.
“There is still business as usual to get on with.”