A focus on ensuring the cost of delivering council activities is fully recovered is behind the increase in some fees and charges, proposed as part of the current consultation on Masterton District Council’s draft Long-Term Plan. Costs have increased due to adjustments for inflation, to respond to changes set by central government, and to cover borrowing costs for capital projects associated with the services.

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson believes there are thousands of great reasons and a couple of excellent incentives for people to take time to make a submission on the Council’s long-term plan consultation, which opens tomorrow  (1 April). The draft plan, called Stepping Up, sets out plans for a new civic facility, a 10-year Masterton revamp, and 25 new pensioner houses on council-owned land.

Nearly $90,000 in community wellbeing, events, and COVID-19 sports grants have been approved by Masterton District Council’s Awards and Grants Committee.
This includes nearly $50,000 in Community Wellbeing grants, more than $17,000 in Community Events grants, and $21,000 in the COVID-19 Sports Grants.

An independent assessment of Masterton District Council has highlighted significant improvement since it was first assessed as competent in 2017. The Local Government NZ CouncilMark assessment is a voluntary process, with the Council’s assessment now a “strong” BBB, up from a BB.

Rain in the Tararua Range has raised the level of the Waingawa River, the source of Masterton’s drinking water, enabling water restrictions to be eased to allow sprinklers on alternate days.