The Regional Spatial Plan is a requirement of the Government’s proposed Planning Bill and Resource Management reforms. It will set a 30-plus-year strategic direction for Canterbury, covering matters including growth, housing, transport infrastructure and environmental protection.

The overall project is expected to cost around a lower level of $7 million, with some predictions reaching $10 million. The cost to Waimakariri is expected to be between $800,000 and $1.07m.

At the September meeting Waimakariri Councillors called for the Canterbury Mayoral Forum to make a regional request for funding, otherwise it would fall to ratepayers.

Mayor Dan Gordon said this was another example of an un-funded mandate coming from central government which would ultimately be met via rates.

“We need to consider this alongside amalgamation under Head Start. This is another unfunded mandate and significant work programme being forced on Canterbury councils. It’s a 30-year plan that will likely need to be re-done when new local government structures are established by 2028.

“At the same time the government is pushing additional cost for short-term work programmes like this on councils they’re also talking about capping rates.

“This project alone would constitute a 1.38% increase in rates for Waimakariri. I know our ratepayers would prefer we focus on roads, water and community facilities. It is only fair ratepayers know these costs are coming from Wellington with no funding.”

At the meeting, Deputy Mayor Philip Redmond said while he supported the proposal to establish the regional planning committee he sought an amendment seeking Government funding for the work through the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.

Council supported the amendment and approved, in principle, the establishment of the Waitaha Canterbury Regional Spatial Plan Committee - appointing Mayor Gordon as its representative and Councillor Niki Mealings as the alternate, as provided for under the terms of reference for the committee.

Cr Mealings said the work was important for the people of Waimakariri, including ensuring the excellent aspects of the District Plan were protected. However, she also raised concerns about the financial burden being placed on councils.

“This is a tax,” she said. “Every time the Government puts something on local government without funding attached that is a tax.”

Regardless if arrangements do change through the establishment of new unitary authorities, the first-generation regional spatial plans must be based on the existing regional and unitary council boundaries, and it is mandatory to prepare one.

“Instead of lumping the sector with expensive work programmes that will need to be re-done post amalgamation, the government should work with councils. Any mandated reform needs to be fairly explained and funded especially in the face of amalgamation and rates capping,” said Mayor Gordon.

“Local government needs new funding avenues – not more unfunded mandates. Our share of overall tax revenue has remained at about 2% of GDP for the past 50 years. You can’t cap rates and add to costs at the same time. Any mandated work from central government needs to be funded.”