Plan and reflect: Phil Mauger

It’s February already, and we are straight back into it.

February is when our council puts together our draft Long Term Plan (LTP)—the city’s budget for the next 10 years.

This plan proposes council’s priorities for the next decade. We, all 17 members of council, have been working hard to strike the right balance between what we can afford and what we need to deliver for our residents.

I know that rates increases have a big impact on your back pocket—and I know our rates increase is high. That is why it is so important that you have your say this year—we need a steer from you on what services are important, and which things you would do differently so we find a number that strikes this balance.

If you have any projects you want to go ahead, tell us. And if there are things you think we could hold off on, let us know that too. I really encourage you to take the time to have a look at the plan and have your say.

February is also a month where we pause to remember in Christchurch, 2024 marking 13 years since the horrific 22 February 2011 earthquakes.

We held a small ceremony down at Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial to remember those who lost their lives and those who were affected. This will always be a sad day, yet it is also a chance to come together and reflect on the impact the earthquakes had on our city.