Potholes, rising rates and big infrastructure bills are all on the table as Raglan residents consider Waikato District Council’s Long Term Plan - and the clock is ticking.
With public consultation closing on Saturday 11 May, locals have just days left to weigh in on how much they're willing to pay to maintain and improve essential services - from rural roads to water systems, libraries and long-standing community goals like a swimming pool.
“There’s real frustration out in places like Ruapuke and Te Papatapu,” says Whāingaroa Ward Councillor Lisa Thomson. “The roads are in bad shape and people want to know what Council’s doing about it. But better maintenance means more money - and that comes from rates.”
Roading: Stick with the Status Quo, or Pay for Better?
Council is offering two options for road maintenance: maintain current service levels, or increase investment for more frequent line marking, pothole repairs and vegetation control. The catch? Higher rates.
“We’re still getting some support from Waka Kotahi,” Lisa says, “but not enough to lift the standard without dipping into rates. It’s a balancing act - and people need to tell us what they want.”
Recently, local frustration spilled over onto social media. “Even last night, there was a post that was put up about the condition of Te Papatapu Road, and it did look pretty terrible, to be honest,” says Lisa.
At the same time, she encourages residents to report issues through official channels like the Antenno app or Council’s service request page. “Posting on Facebook won’t cut it,” she says. “Service requests help us build a case. It’s how we track problem areas and contractor performance.”
Meanwhile, at the national level, central government is prioritising big-ticket projects like Roads of National Significance - but not small-town repairs. As a result, rural communities like Raglan are left with fewer options unless they agree to pay more themselves.
Your Rates Are Going Up – Here’s Why
Lisa says the proposed 4.25% general rates increase is just the beginning. Many urban households will also see significant hikes from targeted rates for services like food waste collection, wastewater and the wider Three Waters provision.
“For those of us in town,” she says, “the targeted wastewater rate is actually bigger than the general rate.”
On average, ratepayers could be looking at an annual increase of around $500, though this will vary based on property value and which services are received.
A major driver of these increases is the government’s directive for councils to upgrade water infrastructure, particularly around quality and wastewater discharge standards. “We’ve been told to fix our water systems – and that’s exactly what we’re doing. But it’s expensive,” says Lisa.
For a detailed breakdown of how water-related charges are projected to rise - including projections that wastewater charges could double over the next decade - residents can read the Raglan Community Radio article tracking the long-term cost impacts of reform.
Big Flush: A New Era for Wastewater in Raglan
Raglan’s new wastewater treatment plant is nearly complete - a major milestone in the town’s shift away from harbour discharge.
“It’s a massive step forward,” Lisa says. “We’ve never had a proper treatment plant before.”
Next up is transitioning to land-based discharge at Wainui Reserve. Soil testing and planning are underway to meet stricter environmental standards and improve harbour health. The broader programme also includes upgrading the Wallis St pump station and building a second water reservoir for firefighting and future growth.
Water Services: What Happens After Watercare?
Currently, Raglan’s water services are managed by Watercare, which is owned by Auckland Council but contracted to serve Waikato District. That contract ends in 2028, and Council is asking residents to consider what comes next.
The preferred option is forming a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) with Hamilton City Council. Under this model, the two councils would jointly own and oversee a new entity responsible for water delivery - keeping assets in public hands while allowing shared oversight.
“We’ve had Watercare for years, so the idea of shared services isn’t new,” Lisa says. “But this is about finding a local solution that works – and we need feedback to get it right.”
You can read more via Council’s water services consultation page.
Libraries, Laps and Local Voices
Also in the plan are modest but meaningful upgrades to Raglan Library, including air conditioning and carpark improvements.
“It’s more than books. It’s free internet, a warm space, a place to go during storms or outages. During last year’s power cuts, the place was full of people working,” Lisa says. “We’ve talked about cutting hours to save money but honestly, that would be a real loss.”
Raglan’s Longing for a Pool Still Runs Deep
While not in the current plan, demand for a swimming pool remains strong. A recent sports facility survey drew over 250 responses - and 70% mentioned a pool.
Lisa responded to a recent question about a group exploring pool options by saying, “Funny you should say that – I’m going to have a chat with them next week. I’ll be able to give you an update on that.”
Though no formal proposal exists yet, Council is open to community-led solutions. One idea is expanding access to the Raglan Area School pool, which was recently upgraded. Any future access would require agreement from the school’s Board of Trustees.
“There’s a lot of potential in making better use of what we already have,” Lisa says. “It just needs the right collaboration.”
Sporting Future on the Horizon
Council is also reviewing future needs for sports fields and indoor facilities across Whāingaroa. A formal proposal is expected later in 2024, following strong public feedback.
“It’s clearly top of mind,” Lisa says. “Our job now is to figure out what’s realistic and how we might fund it.”
Want Change? Speak Up Before 11 May
Lisa says now is the moment for locals to have their say - not just about roads and rates, but also about water, waste and future community assets.
She’s confirmed she’ll stand again in this October’s local elections and encourages others to consider it too.
“If you’re thinking about running for Council or the Community Board, get in touch. I’m happy to kōrero about what’s involved.”
📅 Submissions close Saturday 11 May
🔗 Make your submission online
📍 Or visit Raglan Library for more info