Nelson City Council

Commit to keeping rates increases under 5% per year, drawing a line in the sand for the Long-Term Plan and annual plans.

Explore new revenue and sponsorship opportunities that ease the burden on ratepayers while protecting essential services.

Optimise infrastructure programme to align with central government priorities to attract co-funding.

Facilitate adaptive reuse of existing houses for additional self-contained units at low upfront cost with a small long-term rates increase.

Focus development within existing city boundaries for long-term cost efficiency for maintenance of infrastructure.

Invest in council-owned public buildings to avoid long-term leasing costs and reduce financial burden on future residents.

Create demand management options, eg enable people to downsize, live close to existing infrastructure and to where they need to be.

Question assumed practices: Is council the best option for doing this? Is this best way to do it? Are there private public or a community driven options? Always ask.

Endeavour to keep rates rises as low as possible by making wise informed decisions at the appropriate time rather than rash promises.

Ensure that common sense and carefully balanced management are in place when making crucial funding decisions rather than pet projects.

Work hard to keep rates rises under 5% as is currently set out in the long term plan.

Diversify revenue via alternative funding sources, like grants and levies, to supplement residential rates and fund key council activities.

Enhance financial transparency and actively involve the community in decisions regarding major investments and new service costs.

Implement transparent adaptable long-term financial strategies to manage resources and maintain community services within budget constraints.

Look at how Nelson can work on a more self-reliant and sustainable energy future like done with landfill gas.

Look at rates policy to make sure that rates are charged in relation to the value of the property with no more per house charges.

Look to further strengthen integrated services with Tasman.

Cut overspending to work with taxpayer funds we already have and reduce need for increases.

Establish lines of transparency between council and iwi monetary relationships.

Push private companies to chip in for city services used to their own gain.

Discourage long term empty buildings through rates.

Provide support through rates for initiatives to revitalise the city.

Put people before profit – spend rates on people not businesses.

Achieve rate cap by reallocating non-essential spending set out in the Nelson City Council long term plan.

Commit to not voting for any rates increases over 5%.