Message from the mayor

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 668, 23 December 1996, Page 3

Message from the mayor

By Ruapehu District mayor 1

Kirton

As we go into the festi ve season we can look back on an eventful year in the Ruapehu District. Our economy has been at an all-time low due to low farm incomes and a disastrous ski season. The ongoing Mount Ruapehu eruptions had a dramatic impact to the winter ski activities and associated businesses which added to the problems of "balancing the books". The Ruapehu District Council played an active role in civil defence, news media and the launching of a Bounce Back campaign. A positive outcome of negotiations with the prime minister saw over $200,000 spent on a winter/ summer district promotion to restore confidence in the Ruapehu and Taupo districts. Bruce Rollinson, council' s marketing manager, played an important role in reversing the bad publicity that was created during the eruption. I was heartened that the council approved the direction of a management review this year. A consultant has been approved who will, no doubt, get this under way early in 1997. This initial process may need further work in some areas of the organisation. The new legislation of the Local Government Reform Act Number 3 requires each local authority to review their rating teehnique and requires our

authority to plan in advance any major investment or borrowing for the district over a 10-year cycle. For me, 1 996 has been a challenging year as mayor. The frustration of low economic growth prevents us from doing things that we would like, although it is encouraging to see dairy take hold along with huge forestry investment. The challenge next year is to retain the rating revenue to an acceptable level and at the same time move forward. The Mainstreet programme needs to push ahead to restore morale and confidence, so too does the need to maintain the rural roading network. Pressure will be on the council to deliver quality service to the ratepayers and the need to be leaner and meaner in how it funds the diverse functions of the council. I believe that a commitment must be made to fine tune the organisation. May I end this year by thanking my colleagues for their ongoing commitment to the district and to the staff for their ongoing support. I thank deputy mayor Bob Peck for his friendship and support throughout the year along with chief executive Cliff Houston, and I hope that everyone enjoys the Christmas break. Both Annette and I would like to wish ratepayers and residents a prosperous New Year.