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Have we got the balance right?

In the first years of this plan, we’re proposing to focus on the essentials.

Or, should we spend less and do less, or spend more to do more?

Next 10 years in the Taupō District

In September last year we went out and spoke to our communities about what their priorities and hopes are. The project list below reflects what people told us.

Our number-one responsibility is to do the essentials well. This means continuing to invest in our infrastructure so that our pipes, water networks and roads remain in good shape. We must also plan for future growth and build resilience for the effects of climate change. We’ll continue to take a partnership approach across the projects and activities that are important to iwi and hapū.

We’re focusing primarily on the basics over the next few years. While we still want to invest in the future of our district, some of the projects that will improve our places and spaces will have to wait until a bit later.

Our programme of capital works is focused on delivering the essential road, drinking water and wastewater services, particularly in the first three years.

It is an ambitious programme designed to ensure that we are looking after our assets and keeping our community safe, but it is possible that there will be challenges delivering it. Unintended delays can arise from influences such as disruption to supply chains, availability of contractors, securing land for infrastructure and engaging with stakeholders.

We also expect that there will continue to be changes in government policy and legislation that alter how we do our work and market demand. We have assumed there is a high chance of some of these factors delaying individual projects.

To help manage these unknown influences, we have built in more time for planning and engagement and improved our project management systems. We will also review the programme of work each year, pushing out projects that might not be ready and bringing others forward where possible.

Capital spending

Our capital spending represents our investment over the life of the Long-term Plan in maintaining the assets we already have, improving levels of service through new infrastructure and responding to demand.

Capital Expenditure Project List (PDF, 6.1MB)

What this plan will cost

Operating expenditure

Our operating expenditure covers the day-to-day costs of delivering our services over the life of the Long-term Plan. For this 10-year plan, most of the costs are associated with delivering the essentials. Costs are shown in millions.

How this plan will be funded

What will your rates look like?

The amount of your draft rates increase depends on where you live and your property value.

Learn more

Do you agree with what we're proposing?

It’s important to understand that even if we stopped many of our projects, we would have to increase rates in year one (2024/25) just to cover interest, depreciation and essential council projects and services.

At our current levels of service, we are looking at around a 8 percent rates increase to cover the unavoidable rising costs of interest, depreciation, electricity and insurance.

This is what we have already proposed to save money:

  • Cutting the operational funding for Destination Great Lake Taupō and Amplify by 20 percent.
  • Pausing or cancelling some projects, such as delaying a fourth court at Taupō Events Centre
  • Budget reductions and other cost efficiencies across the board, such as, rationalisation of council vehicles, cellular network charges and postage costs.

The list of priorities shown above shows that Council has focused this draft Long-term Plan on delivering essential services and infrastructure; and maintaining current service levels.

If the community chooses, we could reduce our services and facilities to keep rates increases smaller. An example of this approach would be to cut down opening hours of libraries and pools and do less mowing and weeding of parks and reserves.

This is something that other councils have proposed to keep rates down. Is this something you believe Taupō District Council should do?

Provide more services and facilities in our neighbourhoods

Alternatively, if the community wants us to deliver more improvement projects, or bring forward plans for improvements, there would be an increase in rates and debt over and above what is proposed.

Essentially, if the community wants us to do more, our rates will go up. If you’re happy for us to do the same amount, rates will be approximately what is proposed in this draft plan, and if you want them to go down, we will have to do significantly less than what is being proposed.

View the full list of projects we’re proposing in your area over the next 10 years in the section below.

Council and local hapū Ngāti Tūrangitukua are working together to ensure a bright future for the town and its people.

What we’re proposing over the next 10 years:

✔️ Underpass enhancements

✔️ Town centre structure plan

✔️ Tūrangitukua Park stormwater and carpark improvements

✔️ Tūrangi wastewater discharge improvements

✔️ Water treatment improvements

✔️ Recyclables storage shed extension

✔️ Stormwater flood mitigation on SH1

✔️ Tūrangi Turtle Pools ventilation and heating upgrade

The Taupō East Rural ward is a large area with a variety of rural activities and small, connected communities.

What we’re proposing over the next 10 years:

✔️ Rural roads seal extensions

✔️ Poihipi Road improvements

✔️ River Road footpath

✔️ Wairākei Drive and Karetoto Road intersection

✔️ Broadlands Road improvements

✔️ Study of high-risk intersections for lighting improvements

✔️ Rural berm drainage and improvements

✔️ Wairākei Drive steam bridge cycle and pedestrian connection

✔️ Wairākei Drive cycle lane

Our picturesque lakeshore settlements are popular for holiday homes and have an increasing population of permanent residents. There is also a significant rural community.

What we’re proposing over the next 10 years:

✔️ Erosion control on the Kuratau foreshore

✔️ Pukawa lakefront flood mitigation

✔️ Drinking water treatment upgrades in Hatepe, Motuoapa, Motutere, Omori, Whareroa

✔️ Omori treatment plant rising main

✔️ Whareroa irrigation expansion

✔️ Whareroa transfer station upgrade

✔️ Kuratau footpaths and accessway connections

✔️ Whareroa annual targeted refuse rate increase (to $208.69)

✔️ Pre-emptive slip monitoring in Omori-Kuratau

✔️ Omori playground parking upgrade

✔️ Pihanga and Waipapa Road improvements in Kuratau

✔️ Road resilience improvement across Omori and Kuratau

✔️ Motuopa stormwater flood mitigation around wastewater pump station

The Mangakino-Pouakani area is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday and visitor destination as well as being a great place to live.

What we’re proposing over the next 10 years:

✔️ Shared path on Lake Road

✔️ Transfer station upgrade

✔️ Lake Maraetai lakefront development plan

✔️ Water treatment improvements

✔️ Mangakino wastewater treatment plant upgrade

✔️ Road safety improvements near Mokai Marae

✔️ Rural berm drainage and improvements

✔️ Tirohanga Road improvements

✔️ Flood mitigation

✔️ Ātiamuri footpath

✔️ Tirohanga water treatment upgrade

✔️ Waihaha water supply upgrade

✔️ Guard rail and drainage improvements on Forest Road

✔️ Ātiamuri wastewater treatment plant upgrade

Kinloch is growing quickly and residents are telling us that is bringing challenges.

What we’re proposing over the next 10 years:

✔️ Marina footbridge maintenance

✔️ New footpaths

✔️ New water treatment plant

✔️ Kinloch Hall extension feasibility assessment

✔️ Second membrane bio reactor upgrade at wastewater treatment plant to help keep drinking water safe

✔️ Whangamata Road improvements

✔️ Planning for a second Waikato River bridge to ease congestion into Taupō

✔️ Stormwater improvement device

✔️ Kinloch lakefront development plan

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