Celebrating Waipa
A close up of the Te Awamutu Intermediate group acknowledging the crowd after their performance at the Celebrating Waipā event held in the Don Rowlands Centre at Lake Karāpiro.
Susan O’Regan
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan celebrated a successful year for the district but warned of stormy waters ahead last week.
The mayor spoke at the annual Celebrating Waipā gathering at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre, Karāpiro, where about 150 invited guests gathered.
“We’ve got some decisions coming up that I know will be difficult for me personally, and indeed all elected members,” she said.
“Next year is going to tough – we all know that – and harder, because we will be setting our long term plan for the next decade.”
All councils would be faced with making some “really hard calls on behalf of our community” she said.
“As with all households, we struggle with high inflation, soaring interest costs… but in spite of all that we are still required to keep a rapidly growing district ticking over and we have still got to invest in infrastructure – roads, water, wastewater and community facilities.”
Added to that was a whole swathe of government directives – and uncertainty over what would come down the line from the new government.
The harsh reality was that there would be little money left for anything else, she warned.
That said, planning had to be bold – “brave politicians think about generations to come” – and the debates next year would not be easy.
O’Regan’s comments are by no means the first warning of what is ahead.
Garry Dyet looks on as mayor Susan O’Regan acknowledges his commitment to Waipā District Council and his encyclopaedic knowledge of local government. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Chief executive Garry Dyet spelled out the challenges when he presented a state of the district report ahead of the last local body elections.
He told staff in September 2022 “hang onto your seats folks, we’re in for some fun and games over the next few months.”
Dyet opened the books to show the district was facing a perfect storm and candidates would not be able to make good on election promises if they involved significant spending.
“Identifying cost savings and sensible risk management processes will be a priority,” he warned.
The News also revealed this month councillors have been discussing in workshops where revenue can be generated or saved.
Te Awamutu Intermediate kapa haka group after their rousing performance at the Celebrating Waipā event held in the Don Rowlands Centre at Lake Karāpiro. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Te Awamutu Intermediate kapa haka group gave a rousing performance. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
