Mayor of Invercargill

Allow no new building projects other than infrastructure.

Set hard targets for improvements in council efficiency and costs including 50% reduction in the use of consultants.

Support the signalled government policy of rates capping or implement this ourselves.

Focus spending on essential services to keep rates affordable and ensure all critical infrastructure is a priority.

Seek regional or public-private partnerships and external funding before increasing rates or debt, as it is not sustainable to continue burdening the ratepayer.

Work with the team to review council operations and reduce costs through efficiency without cutting core services.

Thoroughly analyse council infrastructure upgrade spending, including contractor rates, and look for alternative ways to achieve the mandate.

Conduct research to find efficient methods of replacing aged water supply pipes, sewerage and storm water systems.

Invest in innovative methods of making products out of Southland's council waste to create high value products from recyclables.

Look for future opportunities to fund projects through a mixed funding model and lobby government to return funds for this.

Make every dollar count, spend within means and keep rates affordable by making trade-offs and pushing projects out.

Prioritise core infrastructure needs for the city before vanity projects and implement no new project spending for the next three years.

Cap council debt at sustainable levels and publish quarterly spending transparency reports.

Freeze residential rates for low-income households and shift more cost recovery to commercial users.

Introduce developer levies to fund new roads and pipes instead of loading costs on existing ratepayers, like the clock tower $2 million Distinction hotel.