It’s time to have your say on the big projects, activities and services that you want to see happen in Invercargill and Bluff over the next 10 years.

Invercargill City Council today adopted for consultation its draft Long-term Plan 2024-34 – setting out a Roadmap for Our People detailing work proposed over the next 10 years and plans to fund it.

The draft plan outlines the progress made on delivering Council’s Roadmap to Renewal, including work on Te Unua Museum of Southland, and details updates to future plans on the Roadmap,  including Urban Play and an additional swimming pool at Splash Palace, as well as consideration for the future of art in the city centre.

Details and planning for core infrastructure is laid out, including the increased investment needed for Three Waters services, and a focus on community wellbeing is presented through options for improving elderly persons housing, recycling and reducing emissions.

Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell said it was crucial residents let Council know what’s important to them to make sure the plan was right for the city.

“We know that the cost of living is hitting everyone and the Council has worked incredibly hard to balance the need to deliver great projects, services and activities for our community, while keeping the rates down,” Cr Campbell said.

“Just like everyone else, it’s costing more for us to deliver services, but I’m pleased we’ve been able to keep the proposed average rates increase to 9.17% when many other areas of the country are looking at larger increases.”

While 9.17% was the average increase for the first year of the plan, it was important to be aware that every property would have a different rates increase based on the value of their property and the services they received, he said.

“We’ve committed to some big projects like the museum upgrade and critical infrastructure projects and we’re now asking the community if we’ve got the balance right.”

Chief Executive Michael Day said staff had been working hard to consider what the community had previously said they want to see happen in Invercargill and to prepare a draft plan that reflected that.

“Our strong financial position has allowed a strategy to focus on critical asset renewal, and hold off funding other infrastructure renewals until later in the budget cycle, meaning we can include big projects but not push the rates increase higher than necessary.

“I hope people will take the time to read through the plan – we’ve prepared an easy-to-read consultation document to summarise key points and ask for specific feedback on some key projects. We look forward to hearing from everyone and working on a final plan that reflects our people.”

The Long-term Plan 2024-2034 consultation period opens on Thursday 29 February.

To learn more visit letstalk.icc.govt.nz, or pick up a copy of the Consultation Document from Te Hīnaki Civic Building at 101 Esk St, the Invercargill Public Library, Bluff Service Centre, Splash Palace or Murihiku Marae.

You can also have a chat with Councillors and Council staff at an in-person engagement session, which will feature at various locations and public events throughout the consultation period. For times and location information on in-person sessions, visit letstalk.icc.govt.nz.

You can also send in a video submission via letstalk.icc.govt.nz, or set up a ‘cuppa and a chat’ with the team by booking a slot online at letstalk.icc.govt.nz, emailing policy@icc.govt.nz or calling 03 211 1777.

To give your feedback, submit online at letstalk.icc.govt.nz, post it or drop it off at Te Hīnaki Civic Building at 101 Esk St, the Invercargill Public Library, Bluff Service Centre, Splash Palace or Murihiku Marae.

Submissions are due by 5pm, Tuesday 2 April.