Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Politicians are elected to make decisions on behalf of the community. However, there are plenty of opportunities for the public to have their say if they feel the politicians have it wrong – particularly in local government.

Quite apart from the ultimate opportunity at election time, most of our processes involving major decisions have public consultation built in. The current ten year plan round is a case in point. This document is where Council outlines what it plans to achieve for the next ten years and how it proposes to fund this work.

The many decisions which made up the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's draft Ten Year Plan were not made lightly. They were made based on information and analysis, consideration of options and consequences, and balanced against other work priorities. I can assure you this not an easy process and the decisions are made always bearing in mind what we think the community wants and needs, and its affordability.

A good example is the Tauranga Harbour programme. Many people are concerned that we are losing our sand-flat environment and access to the harbour because of sedimentation and ongoing encroachment by mangroves. Options were put to Council. We chose to continue with the implementation of catchment action plans to manage sedimentation, to initiate a coastal erosion project, to fund harbour research and to support management of mangroves. This increased our budget going forward. You need to tell us if you think we have it wrong or right.

One issue often not recognised is that the Regional Council's general rate is low because of the subsidy from our investment funds. Therefore a relatively small increase in the general rate for next year (between $7 and $29 depending on where you live) equates to a 12% increase. Is this too much, when it is our environment that we are protecting and improving?

The Regional Council draft Ten Year Plan is now out for public comment. We sincerely want your feedback.