As a part of our engagement strategy with the community, we have held nine public events in Invercargill and Bluff as well as online and made our consultation documents available in several key locations through the city and online from Tuesday 30 March to Monday 3 May 2021. In response to that, 544 submissions have been received in total.

• To see what we consulted on, see: Our Roadmap to Renewal
• To read online the received submissions, see: Extraordinary Performance, Policy and Partnership Agenda – 11 May 2021.

61 of the submitters presented their views to the Council during the public hearings on Tuesday 11 May 2021 and Wednesday 12 May 2021. The full live stream of the hearings is available online:

• Extraordinary Performance, Policy and Partnerships – Hearings – 12 May 2021 Part 1
• Extraordinary Performance, Policy and Partnerships – Hearings – 12 May 2021 Part 2

On Tuesday 18 May 2021, the Council deliberated to decide what changes will be made to Invercargill’s 10-year plan considering the feedbacks received from the community during the Consultation period. To read the minutes online, see:  Extraordinary Performance, Policy and Partnership Agenda – 11 May 2021.

Some of the key highlights are:

• Council confirmed the preferred option to invest $23.36 million for the City Centre Streetscape and urban play 2021-2025. This will result in completion of Stage One of the streetscapes work with further consultation before Stage Two commences.
• Council confirmed the preferred option to invest $39.4 million for the Southland Museum Art Gallery 2021 – 2026. Its preferred location remains Queens Park and the delivery will be no more than one year later in 2026/2027.
• Council supported interim provision for arts, culture and heritage until the museum reopens with increased funding for He Waka Tuia from $250 000 to $380 000 and Invercargill Public Art Gallery Trust from $220 000 to $314 000.
• They confirmed the other option to invest $4.9 million to make Rugby Park structurally sound (Stage One only).
• Other changes to Roadmap to Renewal projects included an increase the budget for Anderson House from $900,000 to $1.4 million with delivery in 2022/2023 and an increase in the budget for the Water Tower with a delay in opening until 2026/2027. Council also heard from many users of Surrey Park who asked for further engagement on this project.  The $1.5 million funding is allocated two years later in 2023/2024 to enable this to happen. .
• Council confirmed the proposed changes to the rating system, with two changes in response to feedback from submitters. The first is two new targeted rates for the Storm water Service and the Transportation Service and the second a change to the differentials.
• Council also agreed to progress a number of different plans in response to submitters including reviewing the possibilities of a joined up cycle path network and support for the Saving Grace community hub project in South City.

After completion of the audit process, the Council has adopted the Long-term plan during a public session held at the Council Chamber on Wednesday 30 June 2021.