Tasman District Council

Lakes-Murchison Ward
The Tasman District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also passes local regulations and makes decisions about infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage, and about the region’s resources, including water, soil and the coastline. The council is made up of 13 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). One councillor will be elected from the Lakes-Murchison ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Tasman District Council election.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

  • Insist that council lives within its means. If un-budgeted money is spent it comes from another existing budget.

    Stop creating a debt burden that is going to bury future generations.

    Say no to loading debt onto our commercial assets so current councils can keep spending.

  • Start a new, wide-ranging and open discussion on the basic purpose and ongoing viability of a money based operating system. Is it working?

    Open 'clean-slate' conversation on council and community goals, responsibilities and challenges before, during and after transition to resource based economy.

    Short term, borrow as required to assure community and environmental wellbeing and sustainability, ie do no harm, spend the fake tokens!

  • Support Three Waters legislation – reducing number of highly paid employees on council and need for new civic buildings.

    Do not allow the dam to be included in Three Waters infrastructure – it is for irrigation and is part of a freshwater system, no pipes.

    Make Council assets really work, dams should produce electricity, forests should be managed with greater sophistication, etc.

  • Look at opportunities to support enhanced returns of council controlled organisations.

    Maximise commercial returns from trading activities.

    In accordance with the Auditor General, ensure independent oversight of council's audit and risk functions.

  • Insist that council lives within its means. If un-budgeted money is spent it comes from another existing budget.

    Stop creating a debt burden that is going to bury future generations.

    Say no to loading debt onto our commercial assets so current councils can keep spending.

  • Start a new, wide-ranging and open discussion on the basic purpose and ongoing viability of a money based operating system. Is it working?

    Open 'clean-slate' conversation on council and community goals, responsibilities and challenges before, during and after transition to resource based economy.

    Short term, borrow as required to assure community and environmental wellbeing and sustainability, ie do no harm, spend the fake tokens!

  • Support Three Waters legislation – reducing number of highly paid employees on council and need for new civic buildings.

    Do not allow the dam to be included in Three Waters infrastructure – it is for irrigation and is part of a freshwater system, no pipes.

    Make Council assets really work, dams should produce electricity, forests should be managed with greater sophistication, etc.

  • Look at opportunities to support enhanced returns of council controlled organisations.

    Maximise commercial returns from trading activities.

    In accordance with the Auditor General, ensure independent oversight of council's audit and risk functions.