10 Year Plan - Managing our assets

Managing our assets

As you may be aware, we are facing significant financial challenges as we develop our next 10 Year Plan for 2024-34

One of these challenges isthe future affordability of our community facilities and parks and reserves. Past under-investment in many of our facilities means significant work is required over the next 10years.

At the same time there is increasing demand from our growing population and new activities. We must ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our communities while not increasing the burden on ratepayers.

Whatwe’redoing

As part of consultation on our draft 10 YearPlan we’re proposing increases to leases, licenses and hire feesto ensurethey reflect the true cost of assets and strike a fair balance for users and non-users

Our aim is to providea range of multi-use and flexible spaces that can have many uses and users We are going to look at when and how buildings and spaces are being used and whether they could provide better service to thecommunity, alongside our existing users

Whatdoesthismeanforourcommunities?

We are starting a series of conversations with lease holders and hirers of a community facilities or spaces provided byHutt City Council to understand current and future potential use of those assets.

Options for assets to be shared and activities to be hubbed will be looked at

As part of this there may be the opportunity for a small number ofassets to be divested and gifted to community, where groups can show they are able to fund the ongoing operating and maintenance costswithout further Council support

We’ll also be changing our approachto how our spaces are booked tomake sure they are optimised and accessible to everyone.

We recognise there are groupsthat have done a great job with Council assets for many years, ensuringthey achieve their purpose of enabling our community to thrive. However, we need to strike the right balance of meeting the needs of our growing and diverse community and keeping rates affordable

What’snext?

You can provide feedback on our proposalfor managing assets in the feedback form for our 10 Year Plan consultation. There’ll also be an opportunityto attend a meetingto discuss this with councillors and Council officers on Wednesday 17 April at 7pm at the Lower Hutt War Memorial Library.